What To Do If No Traffic Cop To Help You Across Thai Streets? Become Your Own!

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

So, today I was almost flattened while crossing the road, and this happens from time to time, either in Thailand or some other place, which is why I know I will not live forever.

So, what is the best thing to do in order to prolong my time in this unfair world?

I DO have a solution at hand this time, something to contribute, this time:

1. I have one of those WOPOW E1000 Power Banks that I usually carry around in order to keep my phone charged even while I keep the display and 3G on all the time.

2. This Powewr Bank has a very bright light, and I mean very bright and focused.

3. Next time I cross the street at night, what do you think if I turn this light on and start doing what the construction workers do when they want to get cars to slow down while one of their cement mixers backs into the flow of traffic.

4. Couldn't I just ape one of those parking lot attendants, or bell boys at hotels, when they use their flashlights with the red shades, or multi-colored displays, to wave around to get the dirvers' attention, so that the cars will see them?

5. Then, I thought about getting one of those bright LED red blinking lights to hang on my shoulder, or on my file case, while I cross the road. I could even plug it in to my Power Bank, and I would not need an extra power supply.

While walking along the street lat at night, I could probably mount one of those red blinking lights on my head in the summer, and on my hat in the winter.

6. Go ahead, laugh at me if you will, but I may be the one left standing while you are lying in the road.

What are the legalities of doing this?

I think that probably in some countries, states, or Canadian provinces, this may be illegal. Or, maybe not, I can't find an answer. And if bikers can have all sorts of bright blinking lights, then why can't walkers?

7. Last night, I saw one of the brightest LED red blinking lights I have ever seen, and you could see the bike from about 2 kilos away. Now that would be the type of light I should have to cross the road in a Thai city.

8. Anyone know what would be the brightest LED blinking red light? Something light in weight, with just the bulb and wire that could be plugged into my Power Bank?

Would it draw too much power?

My Power Bank has 1000mAh at 5 Volts.

Then, if you did get flattened and were still able to move, at least you would have your phone and battery available.

Thanks for the comments on this.

There are plenty of drunk drivers out at night, and they just don't pay enough attention to you unless you really are visible. Red is visible.

[benalibina]

Get wings !

[bifftastic]

Or wait till there's no cars coming and then cross the road. You know, like everyone else does.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

Or wait till there's no cars coming and then cross the road. You know, like everyone else does.

Glad you mentioned this point, because there is a 6 lane road that I need to cross fairly frequently.

Some have been killed there at that crossing.

The problem is that the cars are constant and there are no breaks where there is a lull in the traffic.

I don't know where the cars are coming from, or going to, but there are no traffic lights to stop the cars every 5 minutes or so.

On some days, I just waited for 20 minutes and then went back a ways to wait for a SongTiao.

This is not the way it should be, with no pedestrian bridges, or traffic signals, or even blinking yellow lights.

This is why at night the use of some sort of red flashing light on my hat, or head, or backpack might save my life in a critical situation.

[NeverSure]

"If you don't like it, leave."

(Sorry, just had to be first in with that.)

[bifftastic]

Give the lights a try then. I wouldn't bet my life on them though, so wear some running shoes as well

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Nautilus05]

Reminds me of one time when I was a kid. A couple friends found a large flashing red light, so decided to test it out in the car. They would pull people over pretending to be cops, then laugh as they drove by.

That is until four cop cars cornered them in, and threw their asses into a jail cell.

Don't know if impersonating a cop is the best way to cross the road.

[nottocus]

Just wait till there are no cars coming,

[thailandbeachisland]

Lazy to walk to the bridge ? Hope your family is ready to face the truth soon...

[bunnydrops]

Well I'm am sure the lights would help in your being seen but I wouldn't count on it. I don't think anyone wants to hit you. I at times feel like a bull fighter crossing the roads. I watch the oncoming cars and move from lane divide to lane divide with the cars passing both in front and in back of me---- That is in day light of course. I would never do that at night even if lite up like a Christmas tree.

[slapout]

I have noted that the very attractive, nicely dressed pedistrians are given the benifit of pause by drivers as they slow to make their personal assisment of the individual.

The OP seems to be of the wrong gender and probably not physically attractive enough to be a traffic stopper. Like most of us, he just has to learn to live with the limitations, mother nature gave to us.

[CzarThustraThusSpake]

I have noted that the very attractive, nicely dressed pedistrians are given the benifit of pause by drivers as they slow to make their personal assisment of the individual.

The OP seems to be of the wrong gender and probably not physically attractive enough to be a traffic stopper. Like most of us, he just has to learn to live with the limitations, mother nature gave to us.

Obviously......

I wish I were the traffic Czar of Thailand....

And any one of the three gender choices available.