Thailand Clamping Down On Crazy Traffic Habits?

[Loz]

I am saddened by the fact that foriegners come here and drink and drive in a way they wouldn't do back home. It shows that the only reason they comply with laws is a fear of being caught and punished. As the risk of that is low here they are happy to ignore the fact that drinking and driving risks lives needlessly. That is a sad reflection on them, IMHO.

Of course this is not all farang. But, I can honestly say on the two nights a week I socialise with farang, I am usually the only one who drives and doesn't drink. To some it is almost a badge of honour.

I've been around long enough to assume everyone on the road is a hazzard, but I am saddened to know how much closer to reality that is here.

[MrsMills]

I am saddened by the fact that foriegners come here and drink and drive in a way they wouldn't do back home. It shows that the only reason they comply with laws is a fear of being caught and punished. As the risk of that is low here they are happy to ignore the fact that drinking and driving risks lives needlessly. That is a sad reflection on them, IMHO.

Every Farang I know who drinks and has a Motorcycle or a Car drinks and drives in Thailand, something I doubt very much they would do in their own countries.

Most won't wear crash helmets unless they think they are on a road where they may get stopped, side roads etc, no chance, then they complain when they get stopped for not wearing a helmet and claim they are discriminated against, lol.

[Richb2004v2]

I am saddened by the fact that foriegners come here and drink and drive in a way they wouldn't do back home. It shows that the only reason they comply with laws is a fear of being caught and punished. As the risk of that is low here they are happy to ignore the fact that drinking and driving risks lives needlessly. That is a sad reflection on them, IMHO.

Every Farang I know who drinks and has a Motorcycle or a Car drinks and drives in Thailand, something I doubt very much they would do in their own countries.

Most won't wear crash helmets unless they think they are on a road where they may get stopped, side roads etc, no chance, then they complain when they get stopped for not wearing a helmet and claim they are discriminated against, lol.

I think it's just a reflection on the type of people that choose to live here. I know plenty that do it too, and seem to think it most amusing.

[moe666]

Lets see farangs complaining about all the reasons they moved here, lax law enforcement, drinking unlimited quanaties of alcohol, and doing as one pleases without consequences. lol

That is not why i moved here. But you are right i used to think that laws were to strict where i came from until i saw the results of them being too lax. To be honest i can't really worry about if someone wears a helmet or not. But drunk drivers are a danger to others not themselves.

Here traffic is like the wild west, i drive a car and a few motorcycles. Its just crazy here.

Crazy but fun. In Thailand you cannot worry about the other guy, I always wear a helmet I like my old pumpkin head to much

Edited July 13, 2011 by moe666

[happyrobert]

In Cha-am I saw a guy get waved by at a police helmet checkpoint wearing a vegetable cullender worn as a helmet

They probably recognized the guy--or not--but either way felt a vegetable colander was appropriate. Gives a whole new meaning to the term "brain strain."

[robblok]

Lets see farangs complaining about all the reasons they moved here, lax law enforcement, drinking unlimited quanaties of alcohol, and doing as one pleases without consequences. lol

That is not why i moved here. But you are right i used to think that laws were to strict where i came from until i saw the results of them being too lax. To be honest i can't really worry about if someone wears a helmet or not. But drunk drivers are a danger to others not themselves.

Here traffic is like the wild west, i drive a car and a few motorcycles. Its just crazy here.

Crazy but fun. In Thailand you cannot worry about the other guy, I always wear a helmet I like my old pumpkin head to much

I wear a helmet too.. and i drive both a car and 2 bikes (not at the same time ) but i don't think traffic and drunk driving here is fun. You always have to expect dangerous things here. Just because people can get away with it.

[saengsureeya]

It was the sign about 3 to a bike that got me really. The others I've seen for a long time. The 3 to a bike one just seems more ridiculous when you consider the antics Thais get up to on modified bikes that can carry 7 or 8 people. How can they seriously even pretend that they are going to tackle that?

Its laughable when you see a couple of cops sat outside one of their huts with various zero tolerance signs and 100% helmet signs, and in the stationary traffic line by the side of them are people without helmets, 4 to a bike etc etc. Why do they even bother?

A regular motorbike has 2 wheels and a modified motorbike or a motorbike with a sidecar has .......yes, 3 wheels! Different vehicle with different rules.

Not even necessary to wear a helmet while driving on a 3-wheel vehicle.

[happyrobert]

In Cha-am I saw a guy get waved by at a police helmet checkpoint wearing a vegetable cullender worn as a helmet

They probably recognized the guy--or not--but either way felt a vegetable colander was appropriate. Gives a whole new meaning to the term "brain strain."

Oh, come on guys, that was funny!

[janverbeem]

It was the sign about 3 to a bike that got me really. The others I've seen for a long time. The 3 to a bike one just seems more ridiculous when you consider the antics Thais get up to on modified bikes that can carry 7 or 8 people. How can they seriously even pretend that they are going to tackle that?

Its laughable when you see a couple of cops sat outside one of their huts with various zero tolerance signs and 100% helmet signs, and in the stationary traffic line by the side of them are people without helmets, 4 to a bike etc etc. Why do they even bother?

A regular motorbike has 2 wheels and a modified motorbike or a motorbike with a sidecar has .......yes, 3 wheels! Different vehicle with different rules.

Not even necessary to wear a helmet while driving on a 3-wheel vehicle.

Just saw a motorbike with 4 adults and a baby from I guess 1 year old held on the shoulder of one of them,and indeed none of them was wearing a helmet while they passed a traffic policeman.

Only strange thing about was that there also wasn't a sidecar attached.This was Pattaya central road with policemen at every traffic light.

[Richb2004v2]

I saw a terribly shocking one the other day. A motor bike and home made shop/side car with one man riding the bike and a tiny tiny child sat on the very front edge of the side car with absolutely nothing securing it. As the contraption went over small bumps the child jolted up almost leaving its seat. The kid was probably about 1 year old. I know this does not sound unusual for Thailand and I've seen similar many times but this was much worse. I felt like following them and doing something, but what can you do. I guess they probably got to where they were going in one piece anyway.

[happyrobert]

I saw a terribly shocking one the other day. A motor bike and home made shop/side car with one man riding the bike and a tiny tiny child sat on the very front edge of the side car with absolutely nothing securing it. As the contraption went over small bumps the child jolted up almost leaving its seat. The kid was probably about 1 year old. I know this does not sound unusual for Thailand and I've seen similar many times but this was much worse. I felt like following them and doing something, but what can you do. I guess they probably got to where they were going in one piece anyway.

[PingManDan]

Yes I like the ride when the whole family is on the bike, parents, a toddler standing up between dad and the handle bars peering over the bars with bugs it their eyes, maybe two other kids sitting or standing between parents on the seat, mother with infant in back-pack, and holding a two week old in her arms breastfeeding before they get home. Also possible to see the family dog riding some where on the bike

[travelmann]

The simple undeniable fact is this, the mannequin (dummy) cops they have at "strategic" points around town are unquestionably and absolutley more effective, more efficient and honest than any "living" cop in this country!

And, as long as I know these dummies are out there tirelessly, dutifully and uncorruptedly doing their job, I , for one, feel a whole lot safer.

Yeah but how do you tell the difference/???

[MrsMills]

They put 100% helmet signs up all over our government school, net result NO CHANGE.

What it needs is Farangs to show the way !!

Hang on a minute, they are pissed up driving and not wearing helmets too, NO Change !!!

You know other foreigners then i do. My friends do wear their helmets and don't drive pissed. I would never even consider stepping on a bike or driving a car while drunk. You need a change of friends.

Are you German, Swiss or Dutch by any chance ?

If so, I thought so.

Edited July 14, 2011 by MrsMills