Witnessed Terrible Accident

[Dirk_brijs]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

[moo9]

Luckily during my 2 years here I never saw such fatal accident, but I can imagine that it happens everywhere, everytime.

Nobody cares really, that's the point.

The BiB prefer to take 100 or 200 Bht from Farangs for whatever reason. Speeding. reckless driving....who cares? This combined with the inability to plan proper roads, traffic planning etc....well nothing to expect than worse.

I go to Rayong almost every day, and every traffic light is a new adventure. Either not working or not obeyed by others. I do not fear to cause an accident here, but my worries are that a sleeping driver just hits my car or even worse when I am on my motorcyc. I think it will take generations to improve the situation.

I hope the girl will survive...

[Thaifan2]

Yes it must have been horrible to see .Would defenitely make you more careful on the roads .I ride a motorcycle here and am always looking in the rear view mirror ,as well as the front .

[britmaveric]

Unfortunately life is cheap, and no one cares. Until BIB get serious about enforcing laws for road safety - this will never change.

[Mighty Mouse]

There is nothing more sickening than the sound of the BANG and then the sound of metal sliding along the roadway. The sliding sound usually indicates the involvement of a motor cycle.

The next sickening sound is the sound of silence. If you hear moaning, at least you can gain some comfort in knowing that the bike rider is still alive but the sound of dead silence sends a chill up your spine.

Many times over many years of drinking in Second Road, Pattaya beer bars, I've had my night disturbed with the sound of motor vehicle destruction...any why?......All because drivers and riders didn't have the intelligence to drive safely.

Pattaya police are also responsible for not enforcing road rules that matter the most.

[Dirk_brijs]

it was eary quiet after the initial first shock yes.

Must say help was there very very fast.

At least one good thing with the bad as it seems help organisations are on the ball in case needed.

Only police came by about 30min after the victim was brought away allready.

[Cuban]

I have generally found that I see an accident once every two weeks. This frequency I would expect is common amoung most people that travel in and around any city like Pattaya across Thailand. So with that understanding that accidents happen, why do those that ride motorbikes of whatever form fail to wear helmets, and those that do fail to secure the chin strap?

Pattaya police are also responsible for not enforcing road rules that matter the most.

Apply a blanket 500 Baht fine on the spot for safety related laws broken, don't care where the money goes. Can't pay the fine then surrender your bike until the fine is paid. This would never happen. People don't care about their own lives let alone the lives of their children or other peoples. See the thread elsewhere on TV talking about helmetless kids on bikes.

<snip>

[Humphrey Bear]

Don't just blame the police.

It is much too easy to get a licence for a motorbike, and many people don't even have that.

UK requires lessons in a closed environment and a period of riding in an accompanied group before you are allowed out on your own. This, plus education in school that encourages the kids to think, rather than parrot what the teacher says, keeps the figures low. Alcohol pushes them up again, together with the teenage <I know better> attitude.

These last two are present in Thailand as well, but not the limiting factors that should be initially instilled.

Here in Vietnam at least almost everyone wears an acceptable helmet and all have to have a licence (which is taken away for almost any offence). And still there are plenty of accidents, but with an enforced speed limit of 40 kph in town the people walk away from most accidents.

[Tolley]

The reason many Thais have given me for not wearing helmuts and generally not worrying about their personal safety on the road is that it is destined or Buddhas will that you will die.

This sort of fatalism is not restricted to Thais and Buddhism.

The Arabs use inshallah for such things and many Christians used to say it is gods will that this sort of thing happens.

It really is a flawed logic but nonetheless one that is used a lot.

[Cuban]

....for not wearing helmuts and generally not worrying about their personal safety on the road is that it is destined or Buddhas will that you will die.

Then they should be happy that it is Budda's will, why aren't they smiling when they are dying?

[Heng]

The reason many Thais have given me for not wearing helmuts and generally not worrying about their personal safety on the road is that it is destined or Buddhas will that you will die.

This sort of fatalism is not restricted to Thais and Buddhism.

The Arabs use inshallah for such things and many Christians used to say it is gods will that this sort of thing happens.

Plenty of Christians still do. Just look at whenever anything bad happens... first they pray to God, and next they call out for their mommy's. It's universal.

[NanLaew]

... and then they call the insurance company and then they sue.

[whatsoever]

Point is nobody fives a flying &lt;deleted&gt;. I have see numerous people literaly chopped up on the roads due to total ignorance.

One day (market days) the BIB will pull over a motercyclist for not wearing a hat (yes hat not crash helmit) and an hour later he will wave on 4 ten year old kids on a motor cycle with no plates. Whats the message!!

Same old, same old!

[tropo]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

[kopite]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

load of &lt;deleted&gt; that tropo lad. seen at least 5 deaths by cars hitting young girls. all because of thailands the bigger the more right of way road policy.

[miksguevara]

I lived in Pattaya for 9 months and the police, road planning and general driving is absolutely pathetic.Wake up Thailand theres not much to be proud of in Pattaya

[tropo]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

load of &lt;deleted&gt; that tropo lad. seen at least 5 deaths by cars hitting young girls. all because of thailands the bigger the more right of way road policy.

What a load of &lt;deleted&gt; Kopite.

An experienced motorcyclist takes steps to stay out of harms way by understanding the dangers.

The "bigger the more right of way" road policy is all over the world.

You should think before you flame.

[clivemh]

I live near the railway on Soi KoaTalo, and there is an easy way to avoid accidents along the new road, restrict it to motorcycles only on both sides until the road is due to be opened officially.

This can be done by placing signs at all the entrances to the new road,and possibly concrete blocks preventing larger vehicles from entering. I am sure Thai ingenuity will come up with some sort of barrier. I know that in Europe the road would be completely closed until it was completed. Its just an idea. I can't see it ever happening.

[gmac]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

load of &lt;deleted&gt; that tropo lad. seen at least 5 deaths by cars hitting young girls. all because of thailands the bigger the more right of way road policy.

What a load of &lt;deleted&gt; Kopite.

An experienced motorcyclist takes steps to stay out of harms way by understanding the dangers.

The "bigger the more right of way" road policy is all over the world.

You should think before you flame.

I find myself agreeing with both sides of this argument.

As a motorcyclist who wants to remain in the land of the living I am always well aware of what is going on around me and ride accordingly.

On the other hand just because someone drives a tank does it really give them the right to drive over every one who gets in their path?

[tropo]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

load of &lt;deleted&gt; that tropo lad. seen at least 5 deaths by cars hitting young girls. all because of thailands the bigger the more right of way road policy.

What a load of &lt;deleted&gt; Kopite.

An experienced motorcyclist takes steps to stay out of harms way by understanding the dangers.

The "bigger the more right of way" road policy is all over the world.

You should think before you flame.

I find myself agreeing with both sides of this argument.

As a motorcyclist who wants to remain in the land of the living I am always well aware of what is going on around me and ride accordingly.

On the other hand just because someone drives a tank does it really give them the right to drive over every one who gets in their path?

Unfortunately when one rides a motorcycle, who's right and who's wrong doesn't count for much in an accident with a tank.

Scanning is the skill that motorcyclists should master to stay healthy. Never get too relaxed and confident either. When I see tanks coming up behind me faster than I'm riding I pull to the left in a hurry. Either stay ahead of them, or stay well clear.

[Humphrey Bear]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

First - I agree with Kopite.

Secondly - the way I read the article, it was a girl merrily proceeding on her way when a speeding vehicle on this new road with no controls at any of the intersections smacked into her. Could happen to you, could happen to me - however defensively we drive.

Far too many people disengage their brain when getting behind the wheel, in all countries.

Better training and better traffic engineering are needed.

[tropo]

Far too many people disengage their brain when getting behind the wheel, in all countries.

Exactly right, but you can't afford to disengage your brain when you're on 2 wheels - ever.

There are far too many very young motorcyclists around with brains permanently disengaged....lambs to the slaughter.

[bratpack]

Remember trying to help a young thai guy who had been hit by a bus on 2nd road,which was about 2 years ago.Many looking but only me and a thai lady went to him.The thai wanted to take his crash helmet off and i stopped her but tried to put his head to the side very gently because i thought he was choking.Turned out to be his last breath out and then he died with me holding him.The police came and ambulance so i went back to my drink in the bar.

Not a nice thing to see but life goes on and more deaths will happen in the land of stupidity

[Tony Clifton]

Live on the darkside of Pattaya. Now I not only have to cross Sukhumvit but the even more dangerous new roads next to the railtracks.

Cars seem to be using this as testing their maximum speed as for sure the one on the darkside is built like a highway so wide.

Today saw a motorcycle get swepped away by one of them right in front of me. Girl must have been like 18 or 19 she wasnt death on the scene but I am not too sure she will get through it. She must have flown more then 10 meters through the air.

Anyway not about who was here at fault but some serious safety adjustments have to be made to those crossings as cars and motorcycles from both sides keep flying over them. Wondering how many morepeople need to die before someone reacts?

Wife was sitting next to me and she is still crying about it tonight accident happened this morning.

That's your problem right there. Inexperienced young motorcyclists clueless about the dangers around them.

load of &lt;deleted&gt; that tropo lad. seen at least 5 deaths by cars hitting young girls. all because of thailands the bigger the more right of way road policy.

What a load of &lt;deleted&gt; Kopite.

An experienced motorcyclist takes steps to stay out of harms way by understanding the dangers.

The "bigger the more right of way" road policy is all over the world.

You should think before you flame.

Completely false for N. America. Ask any trucker or bus driver.

[moo9]

Don't just blame the police.

It is much too easy to get a licence for a motorbike, and many people don't even have that.

Sorry but I think it is not a licensing problem. In Europe it is a hassle, rip off and pain in the axx to get a motorcycle license. You even can't ride an 80cc without paying 1,00 or 2,00 Euro for the license.

The problem here is the carelessness of people and non enforcement of traffic rules.

I think, more than 50 % of the Thai's who ride a bike, even do not have the license.

Rgds

Moo9

[moo9]

....for not wearing helmuts and generally not worrying about their personal safety on the road is that it is destined or Buddhas will that you will die.

Then they should be happy that it is Budda's will, why aren't they smiling when they are dying?

Great comment, but what has it to do with Buddha?

Look at all the stupid farangs on their wanna-be Harley, wearing at most a Bicycle helmet.

It is just a lack of information and enforcement. Only drastic fines moved ppl in Europe to wear helmets when riding a bike.

[tropo]

Look at all the stupid farangs on their wanna-be Harley, wearing at most a Bicycle helmet.

It is just a lack of information and enforcement. Only drastic fines moved ppl in Europe to wear helmets when riding a bike.

A lot of people fall in love with SE Asia because of the relaxed laws on most things. They feel freedom from Big-Brother back at home.

Then when they make the move and retire in Thailand, they miss Big-Brother and want everything strictly regulated again.

There's something amiss here.

A lot of people appreciate the freedom of riding sans helmet. Let them, I say...it's their life.