Phuket Roads Blamed For Traffic Accidents: Poll

[Lite Beer]

Phuket roads blamed for traffic accidents: Poll

The Phuket tour bus full of Russian tourists after running off the road to Patong on October 26. Photo: Sampawat Wannasangkam

PHUKET: More than half the people who took part in a recent Phuket Gazette poll responded that the island’s roads were either the primary cause or a large contributing factor to the number of road accidents that occur in Phuket.

In the poll, readers were asked, “Do you believe that the condition of Phuket’s roads endangers residents and tourists?”

Overall, 13.5% of respondents said that the state of the roads was the primary cause of traffic accidents in Phuket, while 43.1% said that the roads were “a large contributing factor”.

Of the remaining respondents, 23.6% said that the state of the roads was only a small factor in causing accidents, and 19.7% answered that the roads had generally been kept in good condition and that most traffic accidents in Phuket were caused by other factors.

In general, the responses among all three demographics surveyed – Thai nationals, local expats and tourists – were fairly consistent, with one marked exception: Only 8% of Thai nationals said they thought the roads were generally kept in good condition.

However, local expats and tourists were more positive about the situation. Of those who took part in the poll, 20% of the local expats and 25% of the tourists said they thought the roads were generally safe.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11386.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-11-07

[ScubaBuddha]

You don't need to be Einstein to understand the causes of the massive accident and death rate on the roads in Phuket or anywhere else in Thailand. It's extremely simple. No driver training is required to get a car or motorbike license (for those that actually bother getting licenses) and there is zero enforcement of traffic laws. Phuket roads being steep and twisty in places demand some skill and just add to the carnage.

[Jimi007]

You don't need to be Einstein to understand the causes of the massive accident and death rate on the roads in Phuket or anywhere else in Thailand. It's extremely simple. No driver training is required to get a car or motorbike license (for those that actually bother getting licenses) and there is zero enforcement of traffic laws. Phuket roads being steep and twisty in places demand some skill and just add to the carnage.

I have to agree with you. How can a road kill anyone? It's kind of like saying that guns kill people, when it's a person who uses a gun that kills...

[thaiIand]

You don't need to be Einstein to understand the causes of the massive accident and death rate on the roads in Phuket or anywhere else in Thailand. It's extremely simple. No driver training is required to get a car or motorbike license (for those that actually bother getting licenses) and there is zero enforcement of traffic laws. Phuket roads being steep and twisty in places demand some skill and just add to the carnage.

not really. as long as you care about other people's lives you can just slowdown and even the worst driver in the world will avoid crossing over the lines. its just selfishness of thais that cause this. no consideration for others.

[Felt 35]

Shows just how dangerous it is out there when on the top of ba ba driving people think the roads are the problem. Governments and traffic police would laugh of people in other countries who blame their own lack of responsibility, consideration and driver training on the roads.

Any human wherever on the earth with a bit more than sawdust between their ears can at least be brought up to be careful, responsible and considerate.