27 Road Deaths On First Day Of Holiday Period

[george]

27 road deaths on first day of holiday period

BANGKOK: -- The government cried an early victory in the war against road deaths during the traditional New Year vacation yesterday with the publication of figures indicating that ‘only’ 27 people had been killed on the nation’s roads on 8 April, lower than the 31 recorded deaths last year.

The ten days over the traditional Songkran New Year celebrations are known as being the most lethal period on Thailand’s roads, with often drunken New Year revellers contributing to hundreds of fatalities.

Yesterday Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut announced figures showing that 8 April had seen 27 road accident fatalities and 754 injuries, with motorcycles accounting for 75 percent of all fatal accidents.

Although the government has launched prominent campaigns against drink driving, this accounted for only 6.67 percent of injuries, compared to 28.13 percent caused by failure to wear crash helmets.

In the light of the figures, Mr. Somchai called on local officials to set up 24-hour checkpoints to help reduce the accident rate.

“On the first day, everyone was cooperating, and we still had 27 fatalities”, he said, while noting that the figures were better than the statistics for 8 April last year, when 31 people died and a staggering 2,730 were injured.

This year police are manning 3,806 checkpoints up and down the country, helped by local administrative and public health officials.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thawatchai Julasukhon, assistant national police commissioner, officers on Friday stopped over 1.5 million vehicles for offences ranging from speeding to drink driving and failure to wear crash helmets or safety belts.

Of the motorists stopped, 24,667 will now have legal action taken against them. Pol. Lt. Gen. Thawatchai noted that the fact that 78.11 percent of the offenders were male indicated that men were not sufficiently cautious in their driving habits.

--TNA 2005-04-10

[ThaiPauly]

What senseless waste of life

[Ajarn]

I've seen more checkpoints on rural roads around CM than in years past at this time. I hope this will have some effect on the death stats, especially the innocent ones who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time...

[devildog683]

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her. Her son just got out of the hospital after being bit in the leg by a Cobra and they were returning from a checkup. So the police let them sit at the side of the road in the hot sun while they tried to decide amongst themselves what to do. Finally they let her go after she gave them 100b. She called me and ranted for a good 10 min "F*** POLICE!"

[worldwalker]

Waste of life indeed.

However... stories like these seem to always fail to put their data in perspective. Thailand has in recent years had on average 36 traffic fatilities a day, so 27 is actually a pretty good day. And the 'staggering' number of injuries on the same day last year is also in line with annual averages. Associating traffic deaths/injuries with Songkran this early is a bit silly.

It seems the govt efforts against drunk driving are having an effect, and I hope this years checkpoints prevent a lot of tragedy. If they were really serious though about saving lives they would enforce the helmet laws, and make motorycycle taxis carry an extra helmet.

(http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501040809/story2.html)

[THAIDOG]

I am quite surprised that that figure is so low.. after seeing the way most of this idiots drive both these mo-peds, scooters, and cars.. i would think more would be taking the big step into the neverworld.. I feel we need more not less of these idiots removed from the highways...any way you can..

[Mason45]

I am quite surprised that that figure is so low.. after seeing the way most of this idiots drive both these mo-peds, scooters, and cars.. i would think more would be taking the big step into the neverworld.. I feel we need more not less of these idiots removed from the highways...any way you can..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldn't be claiming a victory on day one, just wait till the water throwing starts and the lunatic soup takes over, theres really no answer to Thailand's annual road toll, Thais will do what they want to do, penalties here are a pittance. One way maybe halve the number of Police and double the salary for the survivors, then Police may have some incentive to to enforce the law to the fullest.

[bob/nyc]

It is really sad that these people do not value their lives. They drink, get drunk and go out and kill themselves on the road. My real sympathy goes out to the innocent people who just want to go out and enjoy themselves, and get killed by these selfish, stupid drunks.

[devildog683]

My real sympathy goes out to the innocent people who just want to go out and enjoy themselves, and get killed by these selfish, stupid drunks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I second this, even if they dont care about their own life, they should care about that they could do to others. I find this to be somewhat lacking in the Thai culture....

[The_Moog]

I'm saying 999 deaths for the whole Songkran.

Anyone else for the Sweepstake?

[Hurricane51]

It's a long, hard road to change the driving habits of a country. The U.S. has been heavily promoting "Don't Drink and Drive" for over 25 years, and the change has been positive but incremental. What these folks don't realize is that they are slowing adding momentum for mandatory in-car breathalyzers, whenever the price drops enough.

Thw worst part of the carnage is that the drunk driver is often the survivor, while innocent bystanders lose their lives needlessly.

[sammo]

I'm saying 999 deaths for the whole Songkran.

Anyone else for the Sweepstake?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is really bad taste. But here goes..........around 450 deaths and 16,500 accidents. Each and everyone needless and invariably hurtful to others, such as innocent victims and mourning relatives. The price of fun?!

[Ajarn]

I'm saying 999 deaths for the whole Songkran.

Anyone else for the Sweepstake?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd bet it will drop below last year's stats simply because it is what the governement publically predicated already

For Real though, I sure hope they can start to REALLY turn the stats around...

[taxexile]

devildog

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her.

3-up on a bike , one of them a child , only one with a crash helmet , 200b down to 100b

come on ....... think about it !!

she got off lightly.

could easily have been much much worse.

[Neeranam]

I'll guess 488 deaths.

It will as someone said be better than last year, I can't rememebr what it was last year though.

[sonthaya]

I'm saying 999 deaths for the whole Songkran.

Anyone else for the Sweepstake?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll say 995 for the period of Songkran

Edited April 10, 2005 by sonthaya

[Golf]

Someone said that no one can tell Thais what to do. I believe that's true. It doesn't matter how hard the authorities press o them. They just break all rules, aren't they?

Drink, drink, drink! happy! Then drive around, hit someone on the way. Poor ba$$tards were in my way. I don't care; they're not my relatives.

Golf

[Darkling]

40% of all deaths on the roads are caused by drunk drivers. The other 60% were sober

[EmptyMind]

devildog

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her.

3-up on a bike , one of them a child , only one with a crash helmet , 200b down to 100b

come on ....... think about it !!

she got off lightly.

could easily have been much much worse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There were THREE people on ONE motorcycle and one of them was a CHILD and you wonder why the police stopped her ?

They should have taken her licence away, Obviously 100bt is more important than the safety of your family and children uff !

[john b good]

Does anyone believe that 27 were killed on the first day of Songkran, and if so whats the big deal about that when there is 2 - 3 times more that that killed evry day anyway.

They don't have the ability to get an accurate figure and then they say that they only count the ones killed at the scene. If they make it to hospital they die from other causes.

[devildog683]

devildog

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her.

3-up on a bike , one of them a child , only one with a crash helmet , 200b down to 100b

come on ....... think about it !!

she got off lightly.

could easily have been much much worse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

according to the Thai law, only the driver has to have a helmet, but they all had helmets on

Edited April 10, 2005 by devildog683

[Mason45]

Thais generally act on impulse, they would never consider the consequences, I fully understand this from my wife's family, riding a motor bike whilst under the influence of alcohol, killed her former husband, a brother and 2 cousins, if only these people could see the heartache they left behind forever. In Thailand its not as though its 20 kms to the nearest bar, many people die less than 1 km from their home.

[maxisrael]

Someone said that no one can tell Thais what to do.  I believe that's true.  It doesn't matter how hard the authorities press o them.  They just break all rules, aren't they?

Drink, drink, drink!  happy!  Then drive around, hit someone on the way.  Poor ba$$tards were in my way.  I don't care; they're not my relatives.

Golf

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agree you can't stop alcoholics form drinking, do you?

[somtaamgaiyang]

Someone said that no one can tell Thais what to do.  I believe that's true.  It doesn't matter how hard the authorities press o them.  They just break all rules, aren't they?

Drink, drink, drink!  happy!  Then drive around, hit someone on the way.  Poor ba$$tards were in my way.  I don't care; they're not my relatives.

Golf

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agree you can't stop alcoholics form drinking, do you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/633...trationID=1627+

Just take a look at these statistics, they are absolutely frightening, and the human and economic cost is staggering. When the government is going to do anything about it, who knows?

News Releases Features Reports Meetings Speeches Calendar Experts About ADB

Home | Country Index | Topic Index | Date Index My Email Alerts | Help/FAQ | Contact Us | Log out

Road Crashes Costing Southeast Asian Countries US$15 Billion Per Year, ADB Studies Say

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (22 November 2004) - If Southeast Asian nations don't start taking road safety seriously, there will be 385,000 road deaths and 24 million injuries in the next five years, incurring more than US$88 billion in economic losses, according to ADB sponsored studies.

Some 75,000 persons were killed and more than 4.7 million were injured in road crashes in Southeast Asian countries during 2003, according to ADB estimates, with many victims severely disabled for the rest of their lives. Annual economic losses from road crashes are estimated to be around $15 billion, or 2.2% of the region's total gross domestic product.

"Such huge recurring losses are not sustainable and action has to be taken to implement a regional strategy and action plan to improve road safety in the region," says Charles Melhuish, ADB's Lead Transport Sector Specialist.

ADB is helping all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries draft a five-year ASEAN Regional Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan as part of the ADB-ASEAN Regional Road Safety Program.

The regional strategy and action plan, developed after a regional workshop at ADB with the ASEAN countries and modeled after successful road safety action plans from the around the world, is due for consideration by ASEAN Transport Ministers tomorrow in Phnom Penh.

ASEAN consists of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Road crashes are a growing problem worldwide, resulting in around 1 million deaths and more than 23 million injuries annually, the draft strategy says. Around 85% of these deaths occur in developing countries.

The Asia and Pacific region contributes 44% of global road deaths, although it has only around 14% of the world's motorized vehicle fleet.

"If each of those injured or killed has, say, five family members or dependents reliant upon his or her earnings, there could be 25 million persons in the region being directly affected or suffering economic hardship as a result of road crashes," says Mr. Melhuish.

The economic development of the ASEAN countries, in particular, has spurred rapid growth in the level of motorization and has resulted in a significant worsening of the road safety situation across the region.

Motorcycles, involved in a high proportion of Asia's road accidents, now constitute a large proportion of the vehicle fleet in several countries, ranging from just 3% in Brunei Darussalam to 80% in Lao PDR and 94% in Viet Nam. The proportion may be higher in some of the countries due to under-registration of vehicles.

Official figures of police reported road deaths and injuries are declining in several countries, such as Indonesia and Philippines.

"Official statistics grossly underestimate the actual numbers of persons killed or injured in road accidents," Mr. Melhuish adds.

"Erratic reporting of official road casualties is the most likely reason for declining deaths and injuries rather than genuine year on year reduction in the road death toll."

The ADB-backed research, based on health statistics (such as Ministry of Health hospital admissions), sample surveys and international experience, has found that while police- reported road deaths are usually fairly accurate, the number of road related injuries is often significantly underestimated.

Total police reported deaths in ASEAN in 2003 were 43,259 and 187,343 injured, compared to ADB estimates of 75,193 and 4,745,578, respectively.

The biggest discrepancies occurred in Indonesia and Philippines. Police reported deaths and injuries in 2003 in Indonesia were 8,761 and 13,941, respectively, compared to ADB's estimates of 30,464 and 2.55 million. In the Philippines, police reports suggest 995 deaths and 6,790 road injuries for that year, compared to ADB estimates of about 9,000 and 493,970, respectively.

The percentage of GDP lost annually through road accidents ranges from 0.5% in Singapore to 3.21% in Cambodia, averaging out at 2.23% for the region. Indonesia loses the most in money terms, amounting to $6.03 billion per year (or 2.91% of annual GDP), followed by Thailand at $3 billion (2.1% of GDP).

"Experience shows that road safety needs to be tackled in a comprehensive and coordinated manner and that different types of intervention are effective at different stages of a country's development," says Mr. Melhuish.

The regional plan suggests that the adoption of individual country action plans could lead to a reduction of 42,000 in deaths and 2.9 million injuries in ASEAN over the next five years and $10.6 billion less in terms of economic losses.

"Although it may not be possible to bring about an immediate drastic reduction in the road death and injury toll, it should be possible to slow down the growth, stabilize it, and gradually turn the region's trends into a downward direction," Mr. Melhuish adds.

Police Reported

Estimated*

Annual Economic Losses

Deaths

Injuries

Deaths

Injuries

US$ Million

% of GDP

Brunei Dar.

28

645

28

1,273

65

1.00

Cambodia

824

6,329

1,017

20,340

116

3.21

Indonesia

8,761

13,941

30,464

2,550,000

6,032

2.91

Lao PDR

415

6,231

581

18,690

47

2.70

Malaysia

6,282

46,420

6,282

46,420

2,400

2.40

Myanmar

1,308

9,299

1,308

45,780

200

3.00

Philippines

995

6,790

9,000

493,970

1,900

2.60

Singapore

211

7,975

211

9,072

457

0.50

Thailand

13,116

69,313

13,116

1,529,034

3,000

2.10

Viet Nam

11,319

20,400

13,186

30,999

885

2.45

TOTAL ASEAN

43,259

187,343

75,193

4,745,578

15,102

2.23

* Based on local research, health statistics, sample surveys (where available), or international experience.

Source: ASEAN Region Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, final draft September 2004

Motorcycles in ASEAN (percentage of vehicle fleet, 2003)

Viet Nam: 94.4%

Lao PDR: 80%

Indonesia: 75.2%

Cambodia: 75.2%

Thailand: 70.9%

Malaysia: 48.2%

Philippines: 37.7%

Myanmar: 36.9%

Singapore: 19%

Brunei Darussalam: 3%

Source: ASEAN Region Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan, final draft September 2004

[scorpihun]

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her. Her son just got out of the hospital after being bit in the leg by a Cobra and they were returning from a checkup. So the police let them sit at the side of the road in the hot sun while they tried to decide amongst themselves what to do. Finally they let her go after she gave them 100b. She called me and ranted for a good 10 min "F*** POLICE!"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They probably fancied her, I would too if that is her in the picture

[devildog683]

my wife just got stopped by one of these checkpoints, had ID, license, wearing helmet, not speeding, but the SOB took the ley to her bike and told her that she had to give him 200b to get it back. She had her son and mother with her. Her son just got out of the hospital after being bit in the leg by a Cobra and they were returning from a checkup. So the police let them sit at the side of the road in the hot sun while they tried to decide amongst themselves what to do. Finally they let her go after she gave them 100b. She called me and ranted for a good 10 min "F*** POLICE!"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They probably fancied her, I would too if that is her in the picture

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that what i was considering , the f-d up thing is we stopped and talked to the same policemen at the same stop and bought them some drinks (non-alcoholic ) during my last visit there

[Jack Jones]

27 is still 27 too many. Imagine the up roar in a western country if 27 people died on the first day of the Xmas/New Year period.

Any stats on Thai/farang fatalities?

[plachon]

Thais generally act on impulse, they would never consider the consequences, I fully understand this from my wife's family, riding a motor bike whilst under the influence of alcohol, killed her former husband, a brother and 2 cousins, if only these people could see the heartache they left behind forever. In Thailand its not as though its 20 kms to the nearest bar, many people die less than 1 km from their home.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Mason! What are you complaining about? You got a wife out of the deal didn't ya, so it can't all be heartache!

[george]

Update:

Songkran holiday death toll reaches 125

BANGKOK: -- Songkran festival highway deaths have passed the one hundred mark nationwide, but fatalities are so far occuring at lower than projected rates according to the Interior Ministry.

The Ministry said the number of road fatalities during the first three days of Thailand's official Songkran holiday totaled 125, lower than the government's anticipated 139 deaths for the same period.

The death toll on the nation's roads in the past three days was 10.07 percent lower than expected, while the number of the injured was down 68.38 percent, accounting for 3,044 injuries considerably lower than last year's figure of 9,628.

The northern province of Chiang Mai and the upper southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan recorded the highest number of deaths with seven people killed in road accidents.

Of 76 provinces, 25 provinces have reported no road fatalities, according to the ministry's data.

Deputy Interior Ministry Sermsak Pongpanit said motorcycles were involved in most of the accidents -- 86.74 percent.

The failure to wear helmets, drunken driving and speeding were primary risk factors, Minister Sermsak explained, reasons that made an accident lead to a fatality.

--TNA 2005-04-10

[Golf]

125 dead and counting. Hey, I've got and idea. Why don't the Thai government claim this, "Thailand is the leader in senseless road death in the world!"

How about that?

Golf