Campaigns Planned To Improve Road Safety In Thailand

[webfact]

Campaigns Planned to Improve Road Safety

The Land Transport Department is making an effort to cut down on the number of road accidents.

It is set to encourage private driving schools to provide high quality of training while a free road safety seminar will be organized more frequently next year.

Land Transport Department Director General Tienchote Chongpeepien stated that in 2011, his department plans to hold more free seminars for people coming in to extend their driver licenses.

He hopes the seminar will refresh drivers on proper road safety skills as well as traffic rules and regulations.

The move is an effort to achieve the Transport Ministry's policy to reduce the number of accidents to nearly zero.

Tienchote said as part of the campaign, the department will urge all officials and drivers from state agencies to attend the free seminar so that they can act as role models for responsible drivers.

Moreover, he noted that his department will encourage private driving schools to provide informative driving lessons in accordance with its standards.

He added that, so far, 21 private driving schools have been standardized. Nine of those are considered by the department has meeting higher standards.

Tienchote said those who passed the exams from high standard driving schools will immediately obtain a driving license without having to take a test with Land Transport Department officials.

Hence, the department is supporting all private driving schools to improve their quality.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-20

[Guest]

Wouldn't it be nice if the BiB were able to set an example here LOL.

[RupertIII]

Maybe they should start with motorcyclists, although I fear an uphill struggle. An IQ test for these wouldn't be a bad idea also, it seems to me that a high percentage have an IQ lower than that of a retarded chimpanzee, or is that unfair to chimpanzees?

[Thailand]

The land of eternal optimists:

"The move is an effort to achieve the Transport Ministry's policy to reduce the number of accidents to nearly zero."

TIT

[buba]

Kids coming out of school 3/4 on a bike.....

Mothers carring babies and riding with the other hand, at least trying too.

Police turning a blind eye to just about everything.

When will Thailand get back the "gold cup" from India as the worst drivers in the world, they trying hard enough.

Edited December 20, 2010 by buba

[CharlieH]

Introducing a "highway code" might be a start........instead of the do what you like regardless of other people attitude.

[neverdie]

here we go again - chime in all of those who know better

[whybother]

A recent joint study conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Motor Vehicles indicates that 23% of traffic accidents are alcohol related.

This means that the remaining 77% are caused by <deleted> who just drink coffee, carbonated drinks, juices, yogurts, and crap like that.

Therefore, beware of those who do not drink alcohol. They cause twice as many accidents.

[asiawatcher]

If the problem is recognised that is a start. To implement anything, is better than nothing - also a positive step.

Driver education is very important but buying drivers licenses is nothing short of the usual corruption issue.

But then after the drivers are educated - who will 'police' overtaking on the wrong side, three abreast in two lane traffic, the usual push and shove, driving thru red lights at pedestrian crossings whilst pedestrians are walking, and a whole heap of other issues that simply won't go away.

The police do not effectively 'police' the situations. The accidents that occur could mostly be avoided as most are caused by sheer stupidity. Anyone can put their foot down but none of these highway hoodlums know how to drive to rule or know what to do in a defensive situation when things go wrong.

So yes, by all means start with driver education - then run a modicum of control with HEAVY fines and loss of licence for repeat offenders. It may line the BiB's pockets a bit more but if they hit hard, things may just change even if not entirely within the 'law'.

At any rate, its a start.

Edited December 20, 2010 by asiawatcher

[trogers]

Testing should be broken into 2 parts. The first should be testing in a simulator which records the ID card and left and right thumbprints of the test subject. The subject will be failed when making more than 2 mistakes in observing road rules and regulations out of 60.

Only after passing the simulator test, will the subject be allowed to attend the second test - evaluating physical control of a vehicle on actual road environment.

Edited December 20, 2010 by trogers

[pmgthailand]

Sure education is a good start. I sat my test here in Thailand and did not pay under the table, Thailand's "highway code" is very similar to the west and I was surprised how good it actually was. The problem is enforcement of this code, if people were fined, had points on their license so that they could lose it even sent to jail for seriously injuring or killing someone and not running away then it may get safer. If you can afford a car then you can afford to pay a fine or lose your license for being a bad driver. Having a driving license is not a right, it is a privilege that can be revoked. Hit people where it hurts them the most, their bankbook. We all know what is number one here.

Introducing a "highway code" might be a start........instead of the do what you like regardless of other people attitude.

Edited December 20, 2010 by pmgthailand

[CGW]

Wonder what there budget is? Where will it go to??

Until they take the problem seriously and put a high value on the loss of life/limb, nothing will change........

Edited December 20, 2010 by CGW

[salty]

I am sure they want to appear they are taking the problem seriously. Should be as successful as all the other crackdowns. Problem will go away sorry be eliminated in about 4-6 weeks.

[ginjag]

The land of eternal optimists:

"The move is an effort to achieve the Transport Ministry's policy to reduce the number of accidents to nearly zero."

TIT

The policy number ( ZERO ) 5555555555555555555555555. has it just occured to the ministry they ought to be doing something. better thinking for them would be rip up all the roads-and go back to stage one-oxen carts -wooden wheels. FOR GODS SAKE....enforcement of the laws. I would think we all get pigged off with all these new style -ideas. Where the hell do the majority get the money to pay for driving lessons, The police have time, They are brilliant ambassadors of the road, They can teach for free. !!

[roatandon]

The land of eternal optimists:

"The move is an effort to achieve the Transport Ministry's policy to reduce the number of accidents to nearly zero."

TIT

The policy number ( ZERO ) 5555555555555555555555555. has it just occured to the ministry they ought to be doing something. better thinking for them would be rip up all the roads-and go back to stage one-oxen carts -wooden wheels. FOR GODS SAKE....enforcement of the laws. I would think we all get pigged off with all these new style -ideas. Where the hell do the majority get the money to pay for driving lessons, The police have time, They are brilliant ambassadors of the road, They can teach for free. !!

[roatandon]

after getting blindsided from behind on my 650, a thai lady walked up to me and just shook her head, and in english replied...when will farangs learn how to drive...huhu...

[Dellboy218]

They have to start with the kids in the school and the teachers too for that matter. The Police themselves also have to set an example. So, the question is, who is going to set the standard?

[bushwacker]

<"He hopes the seminar will refresh drivers on proper road safety skills as well as traffic rules and regulations.">

BIG PROBLEM .... They have to first know something before you can attempt to refresh the drivers. LOL ... My favorite are the drivers that speed down the 4 lane, 2 way roads in rush hour, on the wrong side of the road, because they are too lazy to cross the road and drive on the correct side. And then they give you a dirty look because you are in their way! Too funny!

[swifty5x5]

There are actually people that have drivers licenses.