Trat appears safest during 'seven dangerous days'

Wattana Khamchoo

The Nation

TRAT: -- As of late yesterday, Trat was the only province not to have reported any New Year accidents so far. It was one of 15 provinces not to have had any road deaths in the first four of the "seven dangerous days" of the holiday period, Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana told the Road Safety Centre's press briefing yesterday.

Apart from Trat, on the eastern seaboard, no deaths were reported in Nan, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Si Sa Ket, Nong Khai, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Ang Thong, Trang, Phang Nga, Ranong and Satun, Phong-thep said.

So far, there have been 202 deaths and 1,898 injuries from 1,827 road accidents over that period. All the figures are lower than last year, when there were 242 deaths, 2,382 injuries and 2,167 accidents in the first four days.

Nakhon Pathom tops toll

In terms of fatalities, Nakhon Pathom topped the list with 11, followed by Chiang Mai with 10 and Phetchabun with eight. Chiang Mai also recorded the most injuries at 91 and accidents (89).

On Sunday, the fourth of the seven dangerous days, 54 people were killed and 536 injured in 505 accidents - lower than the 77 deaths, 600 injuries and 562 accidents on the same day last year.

Phongthep said driving under the influence was the biggest cause of traffic accidents at about 43 per cent, while motorcycles were involved in 82 per cent of accidents. The riskiest behaviour leading to accidents was riding motorcycles without a helmet, at 26 per cent.

As many as 105,691 motorists have been cited for violating traffic laws. Of them, 31,200 failed to provide a driver's licence, while 30,101 others were charged with failing to wear a helmet while riding motorcycles.

-- The Nation 2013-01-01

Of them, 31,200 failed to provide a driver's licence

It is not as if it is hard to get one in Thailand. Is an unlicensed driver automatically at fault in Thailand?

Trat and Chanthaburi are two little known gems in Thailand.

Edited January 1, 201313 yr by Chao Lao Beach

Staying in my room is even safer

Not wearing a helmet was the riskiest behaviour leading to accidents? Nice reporting I'd venture to say that those not wearing a helmet don't care too much for their safety - hence they might also ride faster and ride while drunk. That's a recipe for disaster.

Law enforcement must be working is some areas about 90% of riders in Ratchaburi were wearing a helmet when I was there a few days ago. The police are 'serious' at this time, but the problem is after the holidays they go back to their same old ways...

I think Nakorn Pathom toll is high because there is huge amounts of traffic travelling to the south though this area, and it's all travelling very fast and close to built up areas. There are also several dangerous U-turns on the main road here. Isn't Trat the smallest province? I'm not surprised at the low number of accident's - can't believe that no accidents have occurred though..

Trat was the only province not to have reported any New Year accidents so far.

It must be because the guy that reports in, is dead or in the hospital from an accident.

Trat was the only province not to have reported any New Year accidents so far.

It must be because the guy that reports in, is dead or in the hospital from an accident.

Post of the year !

In The south East where Trat is, as a general comment, it is much easier to drive than in Issan and the Chonburi / Bangkok region.

It still has the Thailand factor, but not as nuts. One of the biggest problems are all the pedal bike riders who flock to the region and they love to hog the road.

Of them, 31,200 failed to provide a driver's licence

It is not as if it is hard to get one in Thailand. Is an unlicensed driver automatically at fault in Thailand?

Trat and Chanthaburi are two little known gems in Thailand.

Thais should wake up and start issuing fines and violations for driving without a license. If they don't have one and are driving, well that is a big problem. If they have one and are not carrying their licenses, then they should have to appear in court and produce one or be fined and prohibited from obtaining one for a painful period of time. 31,000 fines would amount to a sizable source of revenue for the state, assuming of course that it was administered properly without bribes and corruption.

What in the world do the police and the ministry of motor vehicles and licensing and state prosecutors do with this absurd amount of data? In other words the police stop that many people, collect bribes, record the fact that there are no licenses in 31,000 instances and then do absolutely nothing about it except to celebrate their collections.

just come back from a trip to mukdahan town and passed 8 checkpoints none got officers on the road and the ones sitting in the shade looked like they had a hangover or ar still sipping from glasses with ice and i dont know what

on the road full cars with people in the back of the pickup while zigzagging

motorcyclist that had no helmets ( isaw a couple leave the check point in uniform)

happy new year

glad im sober while driving

not only during those " dangerous periods " but always while behind the wheel

Of them, 31,200 failed to provide a driver's licence

It is not as if it is hard to get one in Thailand. Is an unlicensed driver automatically at fault in Thailand?

Trat and Chanthaburi are two little known gems in Thailand.

Thais should wake up and start issuing fines and violations for driving without a license. If they don't have one and are driving, well that is a big problem. If they have one and are not carrying their licenses, then they should have to appear in court and produce one or be fined and prohibited from obtaining one for a painful period of time. 31,000 fines would amount to a sizable source of revenue for the state, assuming of course that it was administered properly without bribes and corruption.

What in the world do the police and the ministry of motor vehicles and licensing and state prosecutors do with this absurd amount of data? In other words the police stop that many people, collect bribes, record the fact that there are no licenses in 31,000 instances and then do absolutely nothing about it except to celebrate their collections.

normal would be impound the bike and they can get it back after paying a decent fine for having no licence , and drive away on it after showing their licence

Better get over to Trat at top speed then.