Highway Lighting...

[khall64au]

With my family here for a month, I have spent more time than usual driving the roads between Rawai to Patong - at night.

How dangerous is it? There are street lights all along the roadside but - ALL ARE TURNED OFF!!!!!!!!!!

I CANNOT SEE WHERE I AM DRIVING

Why are there NO STREETLIGHTS on the major tourist routes on Phuket? I just avioded a head on collision last night due to my own diligence!

Even the main airport route is in darkness for FREAKSAKE!!! Keith Floyd's billboard was lit up - and that was the only marker I had to find the airport turnoff - just a few days after a major plane crash tragedy.

What's going on with this island???

[intoxicajun]

Well, my opinion..

The lights cost money. To have them on at night costs money. No One is out after the police stations close, so why waste the money to burn lights when no one can see them.

Occasionally, when I return from work, I am upside down on my sleeping schedule, and I find it to be truly relaxing for a midnight drive around the island when I can't sleep.

I see many people up to no good around 2am to 4am. Maybe they are trying to discourage all activity at night. Either way, don't fall for anything at night. Get to where you are going and do not stop for anything. After 10pm, I wouldn't stop unless it is a well lit, populated place.

tox

[LivinginKata]

That's very good advice..... do not stop your vehicle on quiet stretches of road. It's very common for the bad guys to fake an accident or even cause a minor collision thus causing the unwary driver to stop.

In Thailand there is no legal obligation to stop for an accident, BUT the driver must go immediately to the nearest police station and report the accident. That's the way I read the rules when I took my Thai driver licence written paper.

[intoxicajun]

I also suggest using your bright lights or high beams. Move, do not linger. There are more crime elements at work here than you realize. Be smart, interior light off, high beams on, move swiftly and get where you are going.

I heard that rule as well about leaving the scene of an accident. If someone does collide with you, for F#@ks sake don't stop. Especially in a dim area. Just keep going until you get to a police station. And stick to the major arteries, and avoid the back roads at all costs.

Take care of yourself first.