Driving in Thailand vs the USA

[shrimpythailand]

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/07/which_city_has_the_worst_drivers_boston_baltimore_washington_d_c_miami.single.html

After 12 years of driving here and all the thaivisa articles on bad driving and accidents I found this site about USA drivers and driving accidents...

just thought I would post it for coversation sake.

steve

[thrilled]

The laws in thailand seem to be mostly ignored. Low fines,or pay off the police. Where in the us the fines can sometimes be on the high side.Not as many police on the take.

[Swiss1960]

Live and let live??? I would have said that it is much more "kill and die"....

Sent from my HTC One XL using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Benmart]

<snip>

I've lived in the USA for over 60 years, traveled the world a bit, and have found numerous other countries that treat both drivers and non-drivers much more harshly than at home.

On one trip down south, I was tagged by a Mexican policeman as an easy target and extorted for every cent I had on me. On another visit i was treateded professionaly and let off with a warning by another Mexican Polce Officer when I drove down the wrong way on a one-way street.

I've seen less than professional conduct by police in India and Cambodia, and treated with kindness by a Gendarme in Paris when I got lost. A German Policeman that issued me a speeding ticket, saluted after he took my 50 DM fine and gave me a receipt. I was impressed that he showed so much respect when I broke the traffic law in the first place.

I've never issued a traffic citation to anyone here in California that didn't deserve it. In fact, I issued tickets on the average of one per three or four stops. Those that didn't get a ticket, got a warning and sent on their way.

My son is a motorcycle officer and he views his job as educationing the public as well as enforcement when it comes to handing out tickets. The revenue aspect is not considered, which may be the case in other US jurisdictions.

My experience is only limited to the police agencies I worked for, so I cannot speak in general terms and paint all of them in such vivid and derogatory terms as other postings.

Freedom of driving style is great, until one finds themselves either laying on the pavement or in front of a hostile judicial system. Then one had better have a great local attorney and plenty of cash. Good luck all and enjoy the LOS as I do.

Edited July 28, 2013 by craigt3365

[lomatopo]

Not sure if anyone actually read the OP's linked article but three out of the top five "worst" locales were in Florida, where deceased people probably can still get their DL renewed,

FWIW, in the U.S. overdosing on prescription painkillers (unintentional poisoning) overtook motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death, a few years ago. Given the aging population, death by accidental falls will probably overtake motor vehicle deaths in a few years.

[craigt3365]

A post discussing illegal activities has been removed from view and a member warned not to do so again in the future. A few replies were also hidden. Apologies to the members with the very good replies.

[Nana Cowboy]

I dont drive in Thailand period. No thx I say. I let my wife do all driving here and I do all driving in US. USA driving is a dream, just follow the speed limits. I have no problems whatsoever. I got pulled over twice for slightly over speed limit in US last time and got off with pleasant warnings. Here there are so many crazies on the road that I'd go nuts. you can have driving here. Enjoy all the "check points"

[shrimpythailand]

I think since the 100K bt payback for the new cars has rolled out I have seen a lot more timid drivers making weird lane changes and things...all with shiny new small cars...but certainly less contrived money making police driving around than in the usa with - I have had my few stops here - one day i got 300 bt back from a 500 bt bill for a 200 bt fine - and the officer had to go get the change...and one day coming back from the beach with family in the back of the pick up and the wife sitting in the front seat - pulled over on the outer ring road for having people in the back of the truck the officer says to me and the wife in the front " anyone here speak thai ?" which got a rise out of the wife... she wanted the ticket at first then we paid the 200 bt... 5 5 5 nice cop with a sense of humor... but yes no honking of the horn.. have to watch out for giving the bird to anyone as well...but yes - no probs with the cops - but you have to be looking 360 degrees when driving here... I live out in the northern burbs and you just have to watch every car and motorcike and pedestrian...

[Ticketmaster]

I think since the 100K bt payback for the new cars has rolled out I have seen a lot more timid drivers making weird lane changes and things...all with shiny new small cars...but certainly less contrived money making police driving around than in the usa with - I have had my few stops here - one day i got 300 bt back from a 500 bt bill for a 200 bt fine - and the officer had to go get the change...and one day coming back from the beach with family in the back of the pick up and the wife sitting in the front seat - pulled over on the outer ring road for having people in the back of the truck the officer says to me and the wife in the front " anyone here speak thai ?" which got a rise out of the wife... she wanted the ticket at first then we paid the 200 bt... 5 5 5 nice cop with a sense of humor... but yes no honking of the horn.. have to watch out for giving the bird to anyone as well...but yes - no probs with the cops - but you have to be looking 360 degrees when driving here... I live out in the northern burbs and you just have to watch every car and motorcike and pedestrian...

You bring up an interesting issue. When I am by myself or with another farang, I SELDOM ever even get stopped, and if I do, usually get waved on immediately. But if my WIFE is in the car . . . that's when I have the problem. The cop has somebody he can talk to and the Thai woman is not a fighter. When we are coming to a check point I always tell my wife to keep her mouth shut and I'll tell the police she's Filipino and can't speak Thai. Of course the first words are out of her mouth . . .

[lovetotravel]

Yeah. Gotta love driving here:

http://www.ttrweekly.com/site/2013/07/overland-travel-can-be-deadly/

According to the WHO’s most recent report on global road safety statistics, in 2010 Thailand had an estimated 38 road traffic deaths per 100,000 people, making it one of the world’s deadliest places to be on the road.

The report says 74% of Thailand’s road traffic deaths were attributed to motorcycle accidents.

Part of that is attributed to the nutters who don't obey the traffic laws. And don't get penalized enough for breaking them.

[isawasnake]

I dont drive in Thailand period. No thx I say. I let my wife do all driving here and I do all driving in US. USA driving is a dream, just follow the speed limits. I have no problems whatsoever. I got pulled over twice for slightly over speed limit in US last time and got off with pleasant warnings. Here there are so many crazies on the road that I'd go nuts. you can have driving here. Enjoy all the "check points"

I have driven both here and the US. I agree with everything you say. You can be a safe, defensive driver here, follow all the rules, and get pulled over and you're in a shakedown. Then, some Thai vehicle carrying 28 Thai workers hanging off the back will drive by you, and the guy will just keep telling you that you owe him 1000 baht, because of "radar, radar". It is annoying.

US cops can be annoying, but only late at night do they get out of line imo. The roads and driving there are a dream compared to this place. I LOVED driving in say Mexico too - it's fun, and you can get more aggressive, and I never had any problems. Maybe lucky. My point being, this really isn't a fun, or safe foreign country to drive in. It also doesn't make financial sense to drive here for the most part either. It is lose lose imo.

Edited July 29, 2013 by isawasnake

[maccaroni man]

i was taking my children to school and from the back seat i heard my youngest say "what the Xxxx are you thinking" i was shocked and asked him if i heard him correctly he said " i am driving"

Edited July 29, 2013 by metisdead
Profanity

[villagefarang]

I like driving here. A big win, win in my opinion.

[isawasnake]

If you like to deal with annoying police, swarming motorbikes that have no type of training and follow no discernable rules, paying 20X the cost of public transport plus for parking, the vehicle declining in value every second you own it, not being able to buy quality aftermarket parts for cheap repairs or get your hands on a set of decent tools for repairs, having to pay tolls just for it to make any sense at all, and sitting in BKK traffic for an hour every time before you leave the city...... well, if you like all that, I guess it is win win.

[villagefarang]

All my driving is now on beautiful upcountry roads in the North of Thailand. Win, Win And yes, I do know about driving in Bangkok as I lived there for 30 years before moving up here, but that is another story.

Edited July 29, 2013 by villagefarang

[jbrain]

All my driving is now on beautiful upcountry roads in the North of Thailand. Win, Win

I guess that picture was taken a few hours only after the finsihing of the road, or at least prior to the first rainstorm

[villagefarang]

All my driving is now on beautiful upcountry roads in the North of Thailand. Win, Win

I guess that picture was taken a few hours only after the finsihing of the road, or at least prior to the first rainstorm

Recently repaired after washouts the previous year, so you are not far off.

[craigt3365]

Very nice, VF!!

[impulse]

Beautiful road for scenery. But look at all the dips, bumps, reverse banked curves and passing zones with short visibility.

[craigt3365]

Beautiful road for scenery. But look at all the dips, bumps, reverse banked curves and passing zones with short visibility.

We did a road trip from Pattaya to north of Nakhon Phanom. On the way up, we took the motorway through KK and then east from there. Fairly easy drive. No drama. A bit tough through the mountains near Sakhon Nakhon. But on the return, we "tried" to follow the Mekong river south. The roads are horrible. Busted up, potholes, etc. Very tough driving.

From just before Ubon, all the way back, not only were the roads beaten up, but the drivers are insane. Passing on the left, on the right, with oncoming traffic. We drove for about an hour at night just past Ubon. Talk about scary. Tractors with no lights on, front or back. Scooters with no lights on driving the wrong way. Buses passing coming towards you and flashing their lights for you to get over. We were literally run off the road one time. We decided enough was enough and just got the first room we could find. It wasn't nice, but it was the best option.

We got stopped many times, but they seemed to be checking for illegal immigrants or something. Never got fined, but I watched my speed quite closely.

The road from Chachoengsao to Pattaya was full of big trucks. Stuff flying off them and hitting our car. Passing on the left or the right. Road was beat up bad.

I was totally stressed out from the return drive. I've driven in many countries around the world. This was one of the worst trips I've had. Of course I didn't drive in India. Hired a driver for that one! Same with the middle east.

[impulse]

I was totally stressed out from the return drive. I've driven in many countries around the world. This was one of the worst trips I've had.

And I find that to be the biggest difference between driving here and driving in the USA. I can drive 500 miles in the USA and arrive feeling stress free. In fact, long distance driving there is soothing to me, and I get some of my best thinking done driving down the highway.

Here in Thailand, driving saps my energy. For me, an hour on a Thai highway is worse than a whole day on a US interstate. And no way to let the mind wander and do any real thinking at all (other than avoiding getting killed).