People with health issues may be banned from driving in Thailand

[seabass69]

How about banning people who can't drive too?

[Lancelot]

Thailand has many progressive laws already in place. Its that "enforcement" thingy that allows the undesirable conditions to continue

[harryfrompattaya]

This sounds good but if enforced who will left to buy a new car. Sales will be down and the used car market finished.

The Auto makers in Thailand will lose billions of baht

Edited June 18, 2014 by harryfrompattaya

[realenglish1]

This is a good step to restrict people with health Issues but I re iterate If you were glasses and need them for driving then make a corrective eye vision test for all and drop the stupid test for color blindness It makes no sense

Even if you are colored blind you know to reds and greens it will not affect your driving and make it more dangeious. No other country in the world tests for this . And the test for peripheral vision is OK but why the colors No reason . These tests are a hold over from a by gone time

Modernize the eye tests You upgraded the written test now do EYES

[NoshowJones]

If mental retardation were considered a health issue, the roads would be empty

Except for most Farangs and about 10% of Thais. The other 90% of Thais with "mental retardation" only have it when they drive.

[JesseFrank]

People with health issues may be banned from driving

I hope this include mental health issues.

It's gonna be quiet on the roads if this rule is enforced.

[belg]

maybe ferrari boy that killed the cop, can now claim he had an epileptic episode....

[YeaBiGgiEs]

GREAT NEWS! If that includes mental issues then that should pretty much cure the traffic congestion. In fact nobody would be on the road...there'd be walking derilics all over the place instead.

[chuenyongman]

Yesterday I had to visit the hosp[ital to have a dressing changed. I came out of the hospital and noticed a man going towards his car. What struck me was his right leg looked only around 50 mm thick. Then I noticed he had a round piece of stick fastened to his leg. He must have been using this setup to help him drive the vehicle. I wonder if this is permissible ?

[watcharacters]

Give all the existing driver a test and 30 to 50% will be off in a day.

.

Your estimate may be on the low side.

[natway09]

Under present circumstances a total red herring to avoid facing the real problems facing Thai driving.

Get booze off the road, & put mufti police on the highways.

This will reduce 40% of crazy road rage pick up drivers for a start

[tirekicker]

Enforcing the law would be a good start especially cracking down on drivers using mobile phones.

http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/files/Driving-While-Using-Cell-Phone-as-Dangerous-as-Driving-While-Drunk.html#.U6EUMpQ0V8E

[Asiantravel]

I hope lack of a brain is considered a health issue.

ooooh not very kind at all

but seriously, the mental health of drivers should be part of the assessment in terms of " consideration for other road users ", which many drivers just don't seem to have. This was certainly a requirement and part of my driving examination

[masuk]

Doesn't sound convincing knowing there are thousands of unlicensed drivers. When there's no law enforcement on it, it's useless to forbid certain groups to drive.

The report of the driver losing control was covered intensively. Now how about the every day occurrences of drunk driving accidents. How many breathalysers tests have the police conducted, how many arrested?

[oldsailor35]

In Thailand, driving laws are only there to make the authorities look good. Nothing to do with road safety as they are rarely enforced other than on a selective occaision

[Cuchulainn]

THE MEDICAL COUNCIL is planning to propose a driving ban for patients whose health condition could turn them into dangerous drivers.

You'd think that well-educated people like doctors would have proposed something like this many, many years ago, when the car was in its infancy? Do these people really not give a damn?

[wilcopops]

""They are just behind drunk driving," the council's deputy secretary-general Ittaporn Kanacharoen said yesterday." - I'd say this is the most telling comment. Given the country's record on dealing with this problem, how can we be expected to believe that they will be any ore effective on health-related ones?

Isn't this a question of the beam and the mote?

[Jim walker]

And a sharp blunt letter from the Dr will stop Thai people driving, in their wildest dreams.

[captnhoy]

I find it mildly amusing that the comments about driving tests are usually made by men who took their driving tests up to 40 years ago in another country. ....and in those days the tests they took were largely a joke.

My driving test in the US was 51 years ago and required a detailed understanding of the rules of the road and adequate driving skills. There was no leniency; you passed or failed based on your ability. I just renewed my Thai license and the only questions that I missed were the ones that had the wrong answer on their 50 question test. The only way I could pass it was to learn the "trick questions". I've never had an accident.

Edited June 18, 2014 by captnhoy

[Paulzed]

Oh I don't think health is the most common cause of road accidents here in Thailand.

Lack of sobriety, sense and skill might contribute more than sick.

Lack of common sense.

[wilcopops]

I find it mildly amusing that the comments about driving tests are usually made by men who took their driving tests up to 40 years ago in another country. ....and in those days the tests they took were largely a joke.

My driving test in the US was 51 years ago and required a detailed understanding of the rules of the road and adequate driving skills. There was no leniency; you passed or failed based on your ability. I just renewed my Thai license and the only questions that I missed were the ones that had the wrong answer on their 50 question test. The only way I could pass it was to learn the "trick questions". I've never had an accident.

51 years ago?? We are talking a different place and different era!

Firstly I hope you have a medical cert to say you rare still OK to drive in your home country.​

secondly your description of the test and opinions are totally subjective - the test was for a different country 51 years ago - statistics would suggest your are one of those who is potentially a anger close to drunk driving.

US - tests which varied I believe from state to state, were notorious for there inadequacy. So 2 possible conclusions

Firstly your test was an exception

Secondly - the test was inadequate and after all these years you are still unaware of the deficiencies.

I REALLY hope you decide to get a medical certificate and a re-test in Thailand - (without tea money) - it is your responsibility.

Edited June 18, 2014 by wilcopops

[techboy]

Doesn't sound convincing knowing there are thousands of unlicensed drivers. When there's no law enforcement on it, it's useless to forbid certain groups to drive.

Someone without a license may or may not be able to drive well- a drivers license is just a document. But I will take them to someone driving around with an insulin reaction or having an epileptic seizure. They are death on wheels. However your argument is absurd and meaningless in any case because getting deadly drivers of any one group off the road is significant regardless if not enough attention is given to all groups. Frankly I wish that a closer criteria would be put on many of these slack-jawed geriatric farangs that are driving around in a haze and glide through intersections and cross walks with apparently no idea what frigging planet that they are on. I suspect that someone who speaks as you do may just be in this category.

[Nielsk]

Too many "Kamikaze drivers" Take care out there

[Skywalker69]

Good plan, now I am looking forward to read:

"People with health issues may be banned from cooking and vending food"

Stupid comment, now go back to bed!

[Skywalker69]

At least they are trying to do something.

[wilcopops]

At least they are trying to do something.

well that's the question. Anyone who has lived in Thailand and for a while will be aware of the "nabob dictum" - some official emerges from his toilet with a new idea....his staff who never criticise their boss are then set the task of enacting the idea, which is under-researched, impractical and takes no heed of outside advice.

The implementation is patchy, enforcement is minimal and after a period of time the idea is, by common consent, ignored.

The nabob doesn't lose face ad nothing is achieved.

Edited June 18, 2014 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

Too many "Kamikaze drivers" Take care out there

a somewhat tangential post?

[NanLaew]

I guess the 'medical certificate' from the hole-in-the-wall doctors office that used to cost 100 baht will now cost more.

Edited June 18, 2014 by NanLaew

[Benmart]

The small minded seem not to notice or appreciate any attempt to make improvements.

I believe they reside in a parallel universe where they control the goings-on, everything is to their liking and the sun is out everyday when they think it's appropriate.

[Nielsk]

Too many "Kamikaze drivers" Take care out there

a somewhat tangential post?

Some understand some don't. "Up to You. No problem."