Bikers encouraged to wear helmets: Thailand

[webfact]

Bikers encouraged to wear helmets

BANGKOK, 23 Nov 2013 (NNT) – The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign encouraging the use of helmets in order to raise awareness among motorcyclists, with an aim to reduce road fatalities.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has revealed that there is at least 1 road fatality every hour in Thailand caused by accidents involving motorcyclists lacking helmets. Therefore, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation is cooperating with 26 organizations to promote 100 percent helmet use among motorcyclists, with an aim to reduce the number of deaths.

Statistics compiled by the Thai Roads Foundation showed that 44 percent of bikers in the country wore helmets in 2010, 46 percent in 2011, and only 43 percent in 2012.

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation further disclosed that 2 out of 3 people in the working class fall victims to road accidents while commuting by motorcycles.

Earlier, the government announced its intention to reduce road fatality rates to less than 10 in 100,000 within the year 2020.


-- NNT 2013-11-23

[laurentbkk]

I dont think this will change anything as the lack of wearing helmet is in the mentality. A better police control ( without bribes if possible) would be more effective. I dont remember in Vietnam seeing anyone ( at least in HCMC) without helmet....

[Curt1591]

Maybe, if they would confiscate motorcycles, instead of pocketing a minor fine, compliance might follow.

They could even make bigger baht reselling the bikes.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Curt1591

[bigbamboo]

That should keep those safety conscious Russian tourists happy.

[Lobo4819]

Does it count if they have one lashed down to the bike, then veer over through traffic to put it on when they see a roadblock?

In another observation this week, I was pulling out of a hospital parking lot when - obviously a head injury patient and a passenger on a motosai - veered in front of me to pull out into traffic. Poor passenger's head was so bandaged up from the previous headplant that a helmet wouldn't fit. You'd think he'd call a taxi.

[01322521959]

Bla, bla,bla. I am a motorcyclist, I wear a helmet. Get a taxi motorcycle sometimes, can I have a helmet, pleases? Mai pen rai, dumlooud mai jub. Still want a helmet, dirty or otherwise. Practise what I preach and all that. If the bib would just charge 500 baht and give a genuine ticket to those not wearing a helmet Thailand would have a lot more dosh. Arr, but now what do we do about the babies in mother's arms, or mum and dad with helmets, undone, of course with their little Somchai shoved in the middle. Makes my blood boil, so it does!

[worgeordie]

encourage bikers to wear helmets !, I thought it was already the law,

just needs stricter enforcement,then there is the Thai mentality of

not following any laws if possible.

Everyone in Malaysia and someone else said VietNam wear helmets,

but Thais don't want too !!

regards

Worgeordie

[transam]

Why doesn't the big shot tell his paid police servants to enforce the law that is already in place.

[ratcatcher]

Next stupid headlines.

The Thai Government encourages drivers to get drivers licenses.

Thai Government recommends drivers get insurance.

Thai Government encourages people to pay taxes.

Surely wearing a crash helmet is part of the traffic laws?

[Tomtomtom69]

I dont think this will change anything as the lack of wearing helmet is in the mentality. A better police control ( without bribes if possible) would be more effective. I dont remember in Vietnam seeing anyone ( at least in HCMC) without helmet....

It took the Vietnamese some years, but in 2007 they finally enacted a tougher law and now there is virtually 100% compliance throughout the country, an amazing feat which is rather unexpected for a country where motorists (including motorcycles) just drive anyway they want. However, in Thailand's case, they could really learn how to be tough and thus enforce the same set of standards as in Vietnam, including more enforcement and tougher fines without any possibility of taking bribes, certainly not ridiculously low ones like 100 Baht. In Vietnam, people are poorer than in Thailand yet the minimum fines (or bribes) for traffic offenses are usually no less than about 200,000 Dong (about 300 Baht or US$10).

[transam]

I dont think this will change anything as the lack of wearing helmet is in the mentality. A better police control ( without bribes if possible) would be more effective. I dont remember in Vietnam seeing anyone ( at least in HCMC) without helmet....

It took the Vietnamese some years, but in 2007 they finally enacted a tougher law and now there is virtually 100% compliance throughout the country, an amazing feat which is rather unexpected for a country where motorists (including motorcycles) just drive anyway they want. However, in Thailand's case, they could really learn how to be tough and thus enforce the same set of standards as in Vietnam, including more enforcement and tougher fines without any possibility of taking bribes, certainly not ridiculously low ones like 100 Baht. In Vietnam, people are poorer than in Thailand yet the minimum fines (or bribes) for traffic offenses are usually no less than about 200,000 Dong (about 300 Baht or US$10).

LOS did raise the fine for no helmet, plus passengers must wear one,BUT, nobody cares, especially the guys who should enforce it.

[Curt1591]

"The fine" is 400 baht, typically settled for a fraction of that, at the scene.

[mca]

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation further disclosed that 2 out of 3 people in the working class fall victims to road accidents while commuting by motorcycles

In a lot of cases you could put " fall culprit" to road accidents.

If there was ever a perfect example of the use of " tough sh*t" then a lot of the accidents involving motorcycles would be it.

[transam]

"The fine" is 400 baht, typically settled for a fraction of that, at the scene.

Thought it went up to 1000bht. But as you say, corruption rules, not saving lives.

[jaltsc]

"The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign encouraging the use of helmets..."

Like they encourage not to murder, scam, steal, lie, and every other crime. Perhaps if all these laws were uniformly and adequately enforced there would be no need for such a ridiculous campaign. Begging people who don't have the awareness to look out for their own safety is useless.

Edited November 23, 2013 by jaltsc

[transam]

"The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has launched a campaign encouraging the use of helmets..."

Like they encourage not to murder, scam, steal, lie, and every other crime. Perhaps if all these laws were uniformly and adequately enforced there would be no need for such a ridiculous campaign. Begging people who don't have the awareness to look out for their own safety is useless.

And begging the police to do their job full time instead of when it suits them.......

[Curt1591]

"The fine" is 400 baht, typically settled for a fraction of that, at the scene.

Thought it went up to 1000bht. But as you say, corruption rules, not saving lives.

May have. Wouldn't know. I always wear my helmet. Like I tell my wife, when the head hits a car, or the road, it doesn't matter how far from home one is! All my "violations" have involved the wrong lane fleece job.

Funny anecdote:

I was once actually cited for using a restricted flyover. Went to the station to pay my fine. While there, a kid comes in to pay his ticket. The clerk took the ticket, scribble something on it and told the kid that he already paid a ticket earlier that morning; one is enough!

[casindonet]

Their expensive Japanese & Korean style hairdo is much more important compared to a crack skull

[kimamey]

I dont think this will change anything as the lack of wearing helmet is in the mentality. A better police control ( without bribes if possible) would be more effective. I dont remember in Vietnam seeing anyone ( at least in HCMC) without helmet....

It took the Vietnamese some years, but in 2007 they finally enacted a tougher law and now there is virtually 100% compliance throughout the country, an amazing feat which is rather unexpected for a country where motorists (including motorcycles) just drive anyway they want. However, in Thailand's case, they could really learn how to be tough and thus enforce the same set of standards as in Vietnam, including more enforcement and tougher fines without any possibility of taking bribes, certainly not ridiculously low ones like 100 Baht. In Vietnam, people are poorer than in Thailand yet the minimum fines (or bribes) for traffic offenses are usually no less than about 200,000 Dong (about 300 Baht or US$10).

LOS did raise the fine for no helmet, plus passengers must wear one,BUT, nobody cares, especially the guys who should enforce it.

They often don't abide by it themselves.

[Stradavarius37]

Natural selection at work. Weed out the stupid ones before they breed.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Mosha]

At a wedding the other week, and the Nai Ampur was om about a policeman in a coma, cos he did not have a helmet on. I don't know if it's b, but the local village police are clamping down

[Beetlejuice]

This has been going on since my 30 years here. No one heeds the warnings and in fact according to many of the youngsters, wearing a motorbike helmet is considered uncool and unfashionable.

The only ways to encourage motorcyclists to wear helmets is for the police to take a zero tolerance stance and enforcing the laws, meaning those seen on the roads not wearing helmets are instantly pulled up, realistic fines of 2000 baht introduced and imposed to act as a deterrent and any police officers discovered reducing the fines on condition of pocketing the money to be instantly dismissed from the force.

Unless realistic measures are introduced in order to encourage motorcyclists to wear helmets, then all these soft warnings are a total waste of time and effort and just a load of warm air blowing in the wind.

[livingthedream]

Even those who do wear a helmet they are mostly the cheap plastic polytype and about as effective as a baseball cap and will fall off in an accident anyway as they never do the chin strap up. Be better off wearing an inflatable helmet !

Perhaps they should put graphic images of serious head injuries on new motorcycles - that'll stop them

[FarangTalk]

Natural selection at work. Weed out the stupid ones before they breed.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

This.

[Pib]

Earlier, the government announced its intention to reduce road fatality rates to less than 10 in 100,000 within the year 2020.

Unfortunately the govt will probably wait until 2019 to initiate the safety program; until then it's all talk. And please have the correct change when the police stop you otherwise they may have to issue a ticket.

[Bagwan]

Bla, bla,bla. I am a motorcyclist, I wear a helmet. Get a taxi motorcycle sometimes, can I have a helmet, pleases? Mai pen rai, dumlooud mai jub. Still want a helmet, dirty or otherwise. Practise what I preach and all that. If the bib would just charge 500 baht and give a genuine ticket to those not wearing a helmet Thailand would have a lot more dosh. Arr, but now what do we do about the babies in mother's arms, or mum and dad with helmets, undone, of course with their little Somchai shoved in the middle. Makes my blood boil, so it does!

Thailand would have a lot more dosh???????????????????????????????? Every cop would own a Beemer more like.

[Basil B]

The only way they can enforce it is give every police force a set quota of tickets to issue, as the number of riders wearing helmets increases the quota would drop.

Edited November 23, 2013 by Basil B

[Bagwan]

My wife's daughter suffered a fractured skull some 5 years ago yet she still doesn't wear a helmet. On two occasions I have provided a chain and lock so that the wreck of a motor bike she and her latest 'husband' use doesn't get stolen. It gets lost after 48 hours. I've given up and certainly wont be reaching into my pocket when the inevitable happens.

[jackr]

The only ways to encourage motorcyclists to wear helmets is for the police to take a zero tolerance

... and have them wear a helmet themselves!

[kriswillems]

I don't believe the police wants to enforce the rules.

I see very often see roadblocks, usually at the same place, people passing there are people going to work, probably always the same people.

Very few people put on a helmet, even they must get caught very often.

People have accepted to pay once or twice per week 50 or 100B in exchange for the right not to put on a helmet.

The police is perfectly happy with this, because it's a fixed extra income. People are also OK with it, because it's just a small amount to pay.

If people would get real fines and started use a helmet, the extra income of the police would disappear ... I am sure they (the police) don't want that.

Further on, people riding motorcycles are working class people, they are easy to get money from ... you wouldn't want to stop a guy in a mercedes.

Edited November 23, 2013 by kriswillems