Thailand's Dept of Disaster Prevention prepares measures to cut road accidents

[Gweiloman]

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

What have you been smoking? Or do you even drive? Sure, you can argue that Thai roads are dangerous due to poorly thought out designs, poor construction / maintenance etc etc. But ultimately, the cause of an accident must surely be the motorists themselves.

U turns are deathtraps, we all know that. So as a motorist, what do you do when approaching a U turn on the highway? Flash your lights and speed up? Fail. You do what any decent, smart motorist would do - slow down, scan the situation, be prepared to take evasive action if necessary and proceed with caution. What do you do when the light turns green? Drop the clutch and pedal to the floor? Fail. Wait a millisecond, ease off slowly all the while checking that no other motorist is trying to run the red light.

I can give you countless other examples but to try and excuse Thai drivers for causing the accidents in the first instance is completely out of whack with what's actually happening on the roads.

[JAYDOUBLEYOU]

"The World Health Organization (WHO) gathers statistics about all things relating to the wellbeing of a nation, including the rate of road accidents resulting in mortalities.

Numbers listed are in terms of annual mortalities per 100,000 people, and to give a familiar point of reference, there are roughly 4 fatal road accidents per 100,000 people in the U.K. each year, and 11 in the U.S."

THAILAND ranks officially number 3, with a score of 38.1 fatalities per 100,000.

HOWEVER, I reckon they have been ripped off…I firmly believe that Thailand has the worst drivers in the world - by far - and that they would truly rank Number One IF the actual accurate statistics were applied i.e. including the poor people that died either en route to the Hospital or in the Hospital.

Driving here in Thailand is scary!

The combination of poor driving skills, excessive speed, and a selfish and aggressive attitude, is indeed lethal, particularly given the large number of bigger vehicles on the roads i.e. Pickups.

I just thank God that in the three years I have now lived here, that we have only had several very close calls, but so far no actual prangs.

I hope for continued good luck for me, and for all my learned TV colleagues. Stay safe out there.

J.W.

Edited August 15, 2014 by metisdead
Bold font removed.

[whatproblem]

Everyday I see government workers drinking at lunch time and not just one drink but many,then get In car and have the me me me attitude

[NomadJoe]

Thailand has the highest reported death rate due to traffic accidents in the world for medium to large size countries. The rate would be even higher if they kept accurate stats, which it has been proven time and again they don't, as well as use the same technique for counting road deaths like other countries, which they don't. The Thai government only counts deaths that occur at the scene of the accident, not for someone is declared dead after being taken to the hospital, which is often the case.

All this "campaigning" and "crackdowns" and other meaningless lip service in order to look like they are "doing something" would be amusing if it weren't so tragic..The solution is so simple. Thailand has the laws, but the penalties are too light. For there to be any meaningful improvement in the carnage on the roadways, they must first increase the penalties then enforce three things:

1. Speeding

2. Following to closely

3. Unsafe driving (rapid lane changes, unsafe overtaking and such.)

Repeat offenders lose their license.

The difficult thing will be the reducing the ease in which one can pay 200B to the officer to avoid being fined. Right now, in the mind of every single driver in Thailand is the idea that if they are caught, a small payment to the officer will have them on their way.

[NomadJoe]

...I firmly believe that Thailand has the worst drivers in the world - by far - and that they would truly rank Number One IF the actual accurate statistics were applied i.e. including the poor people that died either en route to the Hospital or in the Hospital.

J.W.

We posted the same thing at the same time. You are exactly right, in addition to some deaths just completely disappearing from the total. Here in Phuket it was discovered there were so many errors in the reported deaths that the government just stopped releasing the numbers to avoid more loss of face.

[wilcopops]

"The World Health Organization (WHO) gathers statistics about all things relating to the wellbeing of a nation, including the rate of road accidents resulting in mortalities.

Numbers listed are in terms of annual mortalities per 100,000 people, and to give a familiar point of reference, there are roughly 4 fatal road accidents per 100,000 people in the U.K. each year, and 11 in the U.S."

THAILAND ranks officially number 3, with a score of 38.1 fatalities per 100,000.

HOWEVER, I reckon they have been ripped off…I firmly believe that Thailand has the worst drivers in the world - by far - and that they would truly rank Number One IF the actual accurate statistics were applied i.e. including the poor people that died either en route to the Hospital or in the Hospital.

Driving here in Thailand is scary!

The combination of poor driving skills, excessive speed, and a selfish and aggressive attitude, is indeed lethal, particularly given the large number of bigger vehicles on the roads i.e. Pickups.

I just thank God that in the three years I have now lived here, that we have only had several very close calls, but so far no actual prangs.

I hope for continued good luck for me, and for all my learned TV colleagues. Stay safe out there.

J.W.

the trouble with stats - especially motoring stats - is they need to be examined and interpreted.

the conclusion above "Driving here in Thailand is scary!" - is subjective (i personally don't find it scary)

and again

"The combination of poor driving skills, excessive speed, and a selfish and aggressive attitude, is indeed lethal, particularly given the large number of bigger vehicles on the roads i.e. Pickups." - is actually only a personal perspective from a very limited view of the whole picture

[gemini81]

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Who else is there to blame? Farangs?

Of course it's the Thais that are responsible for the road problems, the poorly trained and unpoliced Thais.

With no police on the roads to even occasionally stop anyone from speeding and driving recklessly, it means everyone can drive like a maniac and get away with it. Why not drive like a maniac? Thais drive like maniacs because they can. That's not racist. That's stating a fact.

If your point is the Thai drivers are not the "cause" of the problem, you're splitting hairs. Thais caused the problem and are unbelievable bad drivers because they can be.

I'd like to know any another perspective.

One way to stop it that has not been mentioned is to put 1 meter speed retarders (bumps) on all roads at 100 meter intervals, after the first one (carnage) no more accidents ever. Because of the millions already not trained for driving it will continue, and will phase out given 50 years from now.

But starting from today all drivers should have to go through driving schools, nationally run. L plates on all vehicles for 1 year, and a town road test for m cycles, as in the UK attended by driving examiners trained for the job who have advanced test driving ability.

All new drivers issued with a PROVISIONAL license. until they pass the test escorted with an examiner.

Speed bumps are often a cause of accidents and frequently make both cars and roads more dangerous. Another example of how the road authorities in Thailand no sweet Fanny Adams about road safety.

Yeah if you are driving like a moron- but how can you save a fool from himself, much short of not allowing him to drive??? The bumps definitely aid in slowing down idiots in small sois indeed. Particularly the tossers who have eco-cars they tried to make look like racing cars and like to speed around trying to get any attention they can.

Edited August 15, 2014 by gemini81

[wilcopops]

...I firmly believe that Thailand has the worst drivers in the world - by far - and that they would truly rank Number One IF the actual accurate statistics were applied i.e. including the poor people that died either en route to the Hospital or in the Hospital.

J.W.

We posted the same thing at the same time. You are exactly right, in addition to some deaths just completely disappearing from the total. Here in Phuket it was discovered there were so many errors in the reported deaths that the government just stopped releasing the numbers to avoid more loss of face.

I'd say completely wrong - all drivers in the world are as good or as bad as each other....you are barking up the wrong tree.

Just a quick example - if you are turning left on a Thai road and a motorcycle comes up on the inside of your car, what would you do? Part of your reaction would be surprise followed by annoyance...Why? - most Thai drivers would have anticipated this and would be neither surprised nor annoyed.

Edited August 15, 2014 by metisdead

[Choonpon]

The authorities should crack down on bike/car rentals to those without proper licences. For example, the Chinese tourists.

[allan michaud]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Sorry but this has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I have read on TV.

As someone who has ridden motorbikes almost daily since the age of sixteen (49 now), in 15 or 16 of the countries I have visited, I can honestly say the Khmers are the worst drivers on the planet. However I reserve the award of most dangerous for the Thai's. I drive both cars and motorbikes in Thailand on a fairly regular basis and I can honestly say that on almost every trip I witness insanely dangerous driving by some moron.

Please explain how road deaths in Thailand are not the responsibility of Thai's? Who's fault is it then?

How is it distorted? Thailand is number 2 or 3 in the world for road deaths, it's a bloody slaughter out there.

[ginjag]

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Who else is there to blame? Farangs?

Of course it's the Thais that are responsible for the road problems, the poorly trained and unpoliced Thais.

With no police on the roads to even occasionally stop anyone from speeding and driving recklessly, it means everyone can drive like a maniac and get away with it. Why not drive like a maniac? Thais drive like maniacs because they can. That's not racist. That's stating a fact.

If your point is the Thai drivers are not the "cause" of the problem, you're splitting hairs. Thais caused the problem and are unbelievable bad drivers because they can be.

I'd like to know any another perspective.

One way to stop it that has not been mentioned is to put 1 meter speed retarders (bumps) on all roads at 100 meter intervals, after the first one (carnage) no more accidents ever. Because of the millions already not trained for driving it will continue, and will phase out given 50 years from now.

But starting from today all drivers should have to go through driving schools, nationally run. L plates on all vehicles for 1 year, and a town road test for m cycles, as in the UK attended by driving examiners trained for the job who have advanced test driving ability.

All new drivers issued with a PROVISIONAL license. until they pass the test escorted with an examiner.

Speed bumps are often a cause of accidents and frequently make both cars and roads more dangerous. Another example of how the road authorities in Thailand no sweet Fanny Adams about road safety.

I am aware of that---my post was an outrageous comment to highlight the problems NOT to suggest these.

In my own town in the UK, on some straight roads in TOWN only zig zags were put in at intervals to stop speeding and the also created parking places. this was far better than speed retarders.

[wilcopops]

one has to be a little concerned with those who think that their problems on the roads always emanate from someone else.....

“The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.”

[mike324]

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the problems. Speeding, DUI, and brake failures are the main causes of vehicle accidents. If anyone has been to South Korea and Taiwan, drivers there drive more reckless as they cut in front of each other more, but there are far less accidents because of strict enforcement on speeding and dui.

[ginjag]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Sorry but this has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I have read on TV.

As someone who has ridden motorbikes almost daily since the age of sixteen (49 now), in 15 or 16 of the countries I have visited, I can honestly say the Khmers are the worst drivers on the planet. However I reserve the award of most dangerous for the Thai's. I drive both cars and motorbikes in Thailand on a fairly regular basis and I can honestly say that on almost every trip I witness insanely dangerous driving by some moron.

Please explain how road deaths in Thailand are not the responsibility of Thai's? Who's fault is it then?

How is it distorted? Thailand is number 2 or 3 in the world for road deaths, it's a bloody slaughter out there.

If the figures included deaths after the accident (hospitals etc.,) as the Thai record deaths only at the scene. Thailand could well be No 1.

[wilcopops]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Sorry but this has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I have read on TV.

As someone who has ridden motorbikes almost daily since the age of sixteen (49 now), in 15 or 16 of the countries I have visited, I can honestly say the Khmers are the worst drivers on the planet. However I reserve the award of most dangerous for the Thai's. I drive both cars and motorbikes in Thailand on a fairly regular basis and I can honestly say that on almost every trip I witness insanely dangerous driving by some moron.

Please explain how road deaths in Thailand are not the responsibility of Thai's? Who's fault is it then?

How is it distorted? Thailand is number 2 or 3 in the world for road deaths, it's a bloody slaughter out there.

If the figures included deaths after the accident (hospitals etc.,) as the Thai record deaths only at the scene. Thailand could well be No 1.

QED

[wilcopops]

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Who else is there to blame? Farangs?

Of course it's the Thais that are responsible for the road problems, the poorly trained and unpoliced Thais.

With no police on the roads to even occasionally stop anyone from speeding and driving recklessly, it means everyone can drive like a maniac and get away with it. Why not drive like a maniac? Thais drive like maniacs because they can. That's not racist. That's stating a fact.

If your point is the Thai drivers are not the "cause" of the problem, you're splitting hairs. Thais caused the problem and are unbelievable bad drivers because they can be.

I'd like to know any another perspective.

1 - you have a massively myopic view of road safety in Thailand and

2 - you inference is that Thais are worse drivers than other people - this is overtly a racist conclusion.

[Rorri]

wilcopops, on 15 Aug 2014 - 11:46, said:

Pinot, on 15 Aug 2014 - 10:28, said:

wilcopops, on 15 Aug 2014 - 09:42, said:

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Who else is there to blame? Farangs?

Of course it's the Thais that are responsible for the road problems, the poorly trained and unpoliced Thais.

With no police on the roads to even occasionally stop anyone from speeding and driving recklessly, it means everyone can drive like a maniac and get away with it. Why not drive like a maniac? Thais drive like maniacs because they can. That's not racist. That's stating a fact.

If your point is the Thai drivers are not the "cause" of the problem, you're splitting hairs. Thais caused the problem and are unbelievable bad drivers because they can be.

I'd like to know any another perspective.

1 - you have a massively myopic view of road safety in Thailand and

2 - you inference is that Thais are worse drivers than other people - this is overtly a racist conclusion.

Oh yes, here we go, if people do not agree, then throw in the racist word... grow up.

[wilcopops]

Here's oner for the starts merchants

70% of DEATHS in Thailand are on motorcycles - so what inference would you draw for cars?

Secondly - the stats people are quoting are for DEATHS not accidents and include only REPORTED deaths in the stats.

Check out how the figures for RTA deaths are gathered and what qualifies (or doesn't) as an RTA death.

Edited August 15, 2014 by wilcopops

[wilcopops]

Blaming Thai people for their driving is ridiculous - they are no worse or better than any others - in fact their skills at driving in Thailand are probably better than most farangs who attempt to drive here. The motivation for this criticism by expats as I said earlier is often motivated by a belief that the poster is somehow "superior" to Thai people - this is basically a racist viewpoint.

Individuals do not believe they are dangerous on the roads but at the same time fervently believe others are.

· I am not likely to be responsible for an accident; others are likely to be responsible. Therefore little I can do.

· Hence, less likely to need to “plan to avoid them”

· Campaigns aimed at dangerous driving are for “other” drivers not themselves.

· Such campaigns re-emphasise this difference (2CV, 2008 and Flaming Research, 2008)

· The third-person effect (Davison, 1983).

· High support for enforcement, engineering solutions and education

· But not for themselves - for other people.

[madmitch]

Every holiday the same crap comes from the mouths of these people.

And it makes no difference whatsoever.

Year round law enforcement, proper on-the-road driver training and test and a complete change of attitude by the drivers is all that will work and that ain't going top happen in my lifetime.

[natway09]

At the risk of repeating myself & Pinot, I think you are close to the mark,

one way of reducing the carnage is getting mufti cops on the roads (forget about their human rights issues)

& enforce the laws. The idiots i have had the good fortune to not hit in my 20+ years of driving here are crazy, but behave themselves

at a roadblock, but after they get through absolute road rage, whow!!

[wilcopops]

wilcopops, on 15 Aug 2014 - 11:46, said:

Pinot, on 15 Aug 2014 - 10:28, said:

wilcopops, on 15 Aug 2014 - 09:42, said:

There are bound to be a plethora of posts deriding the standard of driving in Thailand and laying the blame solely on Thai drivers for road safety problems.

This is a wholly distorted perspective of the causes of the problem. I also suspect that many of these views have a racist motivation.

Who else is there to blame? Farangs?

Of course it's the Thais that are responsible for the road problems, the poorly trained and unpoliced Thais.

With no police on the roads to even occasionally stop anyone from speeding and driving recklessly, it means everyone can drive like a maniac and get away with it. Why not drive like a maniac? Thais drive like maniacs because they can. That's not racist. That's stating a fact.

If your point is the Thai drivers are not the "cause" of the problem, you're splitting hairs. Thais caused the problem and are unbelievable bad drivers because they can be.

I'd like to know any another perspective.

1 - you have a massively myopic view of road safety in Thailand and

2 - you inference is that Thais are worse drivers than other people - this is overtly a racist conclusion.

Oh yes, here we go, if people do not agree, then throw in the racist word... grow up.

I think you need to re-read my posts....

[belg]

wasn't there someone to encourage that in the south people would not wear helmets anymore ?

[Gweiloman]

The authorities should crack down on bike/car rentals to those without proper licences. For example, the Chinese tourists.

There are idiotic posts....... and then there's yours

[wilcopops]

"one way to", one way to" - this will NEVER work"

[Gweiloman]

Blaming Thai people for their driving is ridiculous - they are no worse or better than any others - in fact their skills at driving in Thailand are probably better than most farangs who attempt to drive here. The motivation for this criticism by expats as I said earlier is often motivated by a belief that the poster is somehow "superior" to Thai people - this is basically a racist viewpoint.

Individuals do not believe they are dangerous on the roads but at the same time fervently believe others are.

· I am not likely to be responsible for an accident; others are likely to be responsible. Therefore little I can do.

· Hence, less likely to need to “plan to avoid them”

· Campaigns aimed at dangerous driving are for “other” drivers not themselves.

· Such campaigns re-emphasise this difference (2CV, 2008 and Flaming Research, 2008)

· The third-person effect (Davison, 1983).

· High support for enforcement, engineering solutions and education

· But not for themselves - for other people.

Have you really lost the plot or are you just trolling?

You sound completely like an armchair theoretician who has never ventured out on the roads. Regardless of how "skillful" a driver may be, if he drives recklessly, weaves in and out of traffic to overtake, tailgate, turns without signalling, runs a red light, sits on the fast lane at 80 kmh when the left lanes are free, then he is NOT a good driver.

A good driver is one who knows the HIghway Code, traffic rules and regulations, the reasoning behind such rules, obeys them, drives safely within his/her limits and shows courtesy and consideration to other road users. I am yet to meet one such Thai driver (but not saying that there aren't any about).

[Janner1]

Good points GinJag BUT, How long will it take to train these " Driving Examiners " away from the present Thai driving mentality? And just who will set the standards for these examiners ?

Last night my girlfriend drove onto a roundabout causing a biker already on it and very close to stop, and when I told her you can not do that in the UK she laughed and said you can in Thailand !!! And that ended further discussion.

Last year I travelled by taxi from Pattaya to Huahin and on the way we came across an accident involving three vehicles a Toyota, a Honda, and very neatly parked underneath them was another Toyota this time a four by four.

The only other time I have ever seen such good "Stacking " was in a scrap yard and they use machinery to achieve it there but Thais can do it Ad hoc. Driver training standards? Yep ok

[wilcopops]

Blaming Thai people for their driving is ridiculous - they are no worse or better than any others - in fact their skills at driving in Thailand are probably better than most farangs who attempt to drive here. The motivation for this criticism by expats as I said earlier is often motivated by a belief that the poster is somehow "superior" to Thai people - this is basically a racist viewpoint.

Individuals do not believe they are dangerous on the roads but at the same time fervently believe others are.

· I am not likely to be responsible for an accident; others are likely to be responsible. Therefore little I can do.

· Hence, less likely to need to “plan to avoid them”

· Campaigns aimed at dangerous driving are for “other” drivers not themselves.

· Such campaigns re-emphasise this difference (2CV, 2008 and Flaming Research, 2008)

· The third-person effect (Davison, 1983).

· High support for enforcement, engineering solutions and education

· But not for themselves - for other people.

Have you really lost the plot or are you just trolling?

You sound completely like an armchair theoretician who has never ventured out on the roads. Regardless of how "skillful" a driver may be, if he drives recklessly, weaves in and out of traffic to overtake, tailgate, turns without signalling, runs a red light, sits on the fast lane at 80 kmh when the left lanes are free, then he is NOT a good driver.

A good driver is one who knows the HIghway Code, traffic rules and regulations, the reasoning behind such rules, obeys them, drives safely within his/her limits and shows courtesy and consideration to other road users. I am yet to meet one such Thai driver (but not saying that there aren't any about).

You have no idea of how subjective your comments are, do you?

BTW - Have YOU read the Thai highway code?...or more likely are you one of those who thinks OTHERS need to?

Or are you suggesting that people should drive like they do in your country?

Edited August 15, 2014 by wilcopops

[Choonpon]

The authorities should crack down on bike/car rentals to those without proper licences. For example, the Chinese tourists.

There are idiotic posts....... and then there's yours

Before you comment on my post, you should read a post by gal29 posted on 12/8/14 at the Chiang Mai local forum.

[Gweiloman]

Have you really lost the plot or are you just trolling?

You sound completely like an armchair theoretician who has never ventured out on the roads. Regardless of how "skillful" a driver may be, if he drives recklessly, weaves in and out of traffic to overtake, tailgate, turns without signalling, runs a red light, sits on the fast lane at 80 kmh when the left lanes are free, then he is NOT a good driver.

A good driver is one who knows the HIghway Code, traffic rules and regulations, the reasoning behind such rules, obeys them, drives safely within his/her limits and shows courtesy and consideration to other road users. I am yet to meet one such Thai driver (but not saying that there aren't any about).

You have no idea of how subjective your comments are, do you?

BTW - Have YOU read the Thai highway code?...or more likely are you one of those who thinks OTHERS need to?

How are my comments subjective? I have given clear examples of how one should and should not drive, be it in Thailand or anywhere else in the world. Do you disagree with my opinion on what makes a good driver?

I have not read the Thai Highway code nor do I need to. I have driven extensively in Australia, Asia, Europe, UK and America and have never been involved in an accident nor caused one. I have full NCB's on all my insurance policies. I own two cars and 5 bikes here in Thailand so I would consider myself a regular road user. I stay in the middle of Bangkok (next to Asoke intersection to be accurate) so each and every one of my commutes and trips have to be exercises in care and caution due to the large number of other road users.

Am I a skillful driver? Can I drift my car around corners, slalom around an obstacle course in record time, do handbrake turns nilly willy? No, but what I am is a good driver as I can spot potential hazards and adjust my driving accordingly. I give way to other road users out of courtesy and consideration (unless they are obviously queue jumping). I do not tailgate nor do I hold up traffic. I do not text while driving. I signal my intentions clearly to other road users. I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are the same but do you honestly think the majority of Thai drivers are in our league?