Over 300 road accidents recorded in Laos last month

[webfact]

Over 300 road accidents recorded in Laos last month



VIENTIANE: -- Three hundred and twenty five road accidents were recorded nationwide between July 24 and August 25, along with 64 deaths and 554 injuries, according to the Vientiane Traffic Police Department.

Vientiane ranked first with the highest number of road accidents, followed by LuangPrabang.

Police officers said that roads accidents and casualties were caused by several factors including drink driving, over-speed-limit and helmet-free riding.

Although the number of road accidents is decreased as compared to the same period last year, the number of deaths caused by the road accidents has increased from 57 last year to 64 this year.

Last month, Huaphanh, Phongsaly and Saravane were named the first, second and third with the lowest number of road accidents. Only one accident was reported in Huaphanh, and three each in Phongsaly and Saravane.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/300-road-accidents-recorded-laos-last-month/


-- Thai PBS 2014-09-08

[lee b]

1 factor drink driving....Yep i have noticed that many people in Laos don't even know or care about DD, Iv'e seen some get into cars when they can hardly even stand up. To be honest i have not really seen a large police presence any time ive been in Laos, the only time is when they are escorting a VIP from point A to B.

[CroBiker]

Apart from awful driving habits by locals I think it should be mentioned Chinese motorists are cause of many accidents in Laos too.

During my riding trips over there I've seen lots of nasty accidents but captured on camera just a couple of them.

Edited September 8, 2014 by CroBiker

[thairastawoman]

Police has no gun in Laos, why would we stop ?

[humqdpf]

Police has no gun in Laos, why would we stop ?

The Traffic Police have no guns in Laos. But the Ministry of Public Security police (sometimes known as Army), the district police and even the local people's militia in the villages are armed. They can track you down, even without computers.

I find it hard to believe that there were only 300 accidents in Vientiane last year. I got the impression that many accidents are not recorded as accidents. If you are on a motorbike and you accidentally drive into the Mekong, that may not be recorded as an accident.

[Ulic]

I expect there are that many accidents a week in Phuket or Pattaya. Seems quite a low number to me.

[diehard60]

1 factor drink driving....Yep i have noticed that many people in Laos don't even know or care about DD, Iv'e seen some get into cars when they can hardly even stand up. To be honest i have not really seen a large police presence any time ive been in Laos, the only time is when they are escorting a VIP from point A to B.

It is the same in Thailand. Watch the government employees at lunch time.

[diehard60]

How many road accidents in Thialnad last month - that were actually reported.??????

[GuyL]

At least, they don't blame it on spirits that are not of the alcoholic category!

About helmet-free driving, it seems that it is much less frequent than in Thailand though. I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart or that the fines are (maybe) heftier (comparatively) in Laos.

[reenasam]

Something should be done for road accidents...but what?? this is the question arises when I heard about such accidents. I am researching on a project for traffic control. soon I will share my conclusions and calculations. thanks

[lovelaos]

At least, they don't blame it on spirits that are not of the alcoholic category!

About helmet-free driving, it seems that it is much less frequent than in Thailand though. I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart or that the fines are (maybe) heftier (comparatively) in Laos.

"I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart"

Really? You've never been to Laos have you?

The problem starts with there being no driving tests in place. This is made worse by the fact that anyone can obtain a driving license. If you are stopped and caught without a driving license, insurance, test certificate.... guess what? You chuck the copper 30,000 kip and get on your way.

You can drink drive without any problem whatsoever. I've witnessed on a few occasions, drivers stopped at random police checks totally bo**oxed, fall out of their Hyundai Porter and just told to sleep it off for an hour at the side of the road, before continuing their journey.

Add to this, the roads are akin to driving on the moon, motorcyclists wandering out of junctions without looking, cows, buffaloes, goats, dogs and kids using the road as a place to sleep. Truck drivers from Lao, Thailand, Vietnam driving like lunatics on the wrong side of the road spaced out on M150 and you have a recipe for disaster.

300 recorded accidents a month, 3000 unrecorded.

[GuyL]

At least, they don't blame it on spirits that are not of the alcoholic category!

About helmet-free driving, it seems that it is much less frequent than in Thailand though. I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart or that the fines are (maybe) heftier (comparatively) in Laos.

"I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart"

Really? You've never been to Laos have you?

The problem starts with there being no driving tests in place. This is made worse by the fact that anyone can obtain a driving license. If you are stopped and caught without a driving license, insurance, test certificate.... guess what? You chuck the copper 30,000 kip and get on your way.

You can drink drive without any problem whatsoever. I've witnessed on a few occasions, drivers stopped at random police checks totally bo**oxed, fall out of their Hyundai Porter and just told to sleep it off for an hour at the side of the road, before continuing their journey.

Add to this, the roads are akin to driving on the moon, motorcyclists wandering out of junctions without looking, cows, buffaloes, goats, dogs and kids using the road as a place to sleep. Truck drivers from Lao, Thailand, Vietnam driving like lunatics on the wrong side of the road spaced out on M150 and you have a recipe for disaster.

300 recorded accidents a month, 3000 unrecorded.

I've been visiting Laos many times since the late 90s, but mostly tourist destinations (Vientiane, Luang Prabang...) and there, it seems that a much higher percentage of people are wearing a crash helmet, while it's quite the contrary in Northeastern Thailand, for instance. At least, that's what I have noticed.

I don't know about how corrupted the local police actually is (fortunately, I didn't have to deal with them there), but what you describe is an attitude that is very similar to the one that I have observed so far in Thailand (where an unofficial 100 baht 'donation' is usually sufficient in order to resolve most road related issues with the local cops). IMHO, a 30000 kip 'donation' in Laos is probably (at least a bit) heftier than a 100 baht 'donation' in Thailand for the locals, considering the average monthly income in both countries.

I don't know whether or nor it's the main reason why people seem to wear a crash helmet more often (at least in tourist areas) in Laos than in Thailand, but maybe could you explain us why, according to you?

[lovelaos]

At least, they don't blame it on spirits that are not of the alcoholic category!

About helmet-free driving, it seems that it is much less frequent than in Thailand though. I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart or that the fines are (maybe) heftier (comparatively) in Laos.

"I tend to believe that the local police is (perhaps) less corrupted than their Thai counterpart"

Really? You've never been to Laos have you?

The problem starts with there being no driving tests in place. This is made worse by the fact that anyone can obtain a driving license. If you are stopped and caught without a driving license, insurance, test certificate.... guess what? You chuck the copper 30,000 kip and get on your way.

You can drink drive without any problem whatsoever. I've witnessed on a few occasions, drivers stopped at random police checks totally bo**oxed, fall out of their Hyundai Porter and just told to sleep it off for an hour at the side of the road, before continuing their journey.

Add to this, the roads are akin to driving on the moon, motorcyclists wandering out of junctions without looking, cows, buffaloes, goats, dogs and kids using the road as a place to sleep. Truck drivers from Lao, Thailand, Vietnam driving like lunatics on the wrong side of the road spaced out on M150 and you have a recipe for disaster.

300 recorded accidents a month, 3000 unrecorded.

I've been visiting Laos many times since the late 90s, but mostly tourist destinations (Vientiane, Luang Prabang...) and there, it seems that a much higher percentage of people are wearing a crash helmet, while it's quite the contrary in Northeastern Thailand, for instance. At least, that's what I have noticed.

I don't know about how corrupted the local police actually is (fortunately, I didn't have to deal with them there), but what you describe is an attitude that is very similar to the one that I have observed so far in Thailand (where an unofficial 100 baht 'donation' is usually sufficient in order to resolve most road related issues with the local cops). IMHO, a 30000 kip 'donation' in Laos is probably (at least a bit) heftier than a 100 baht 'donation' in Thailand for the locals, considering the average monthly income in both countries.

I don't know whether or nor it's the main reason why people seem to wear a crash helmet more often (at least in tourist areas) in Laos than in Thailand, but maybe could you explain us why, according to you?

Yes that is the reason why. The traffic police were introduced a few years back to just concentrate on traffic related incidents. They were tough on helmet wearing and people soon started taking notice (50000 KIP fines)

Outside the cities it is still largely ignored along with no lights on bikes. The annoying thing is, it's still ok for kids to not wear a helmet!! I will never work that 1 out.

[laolover88]

Living in deepest Issan, traffic is a terrible problem. Most accidents are caused by people reversing out of narrow sois onto the main road assuming there will be no traffic there. Saw a spectacular 4 vehicle pile up yesterday caused by this.

Helmets? There are, here, none of those admonitory 100% signs. I am not aware of any shop in town that actually sells them. Policemen? Only policemen I have seen were doing weapons drill in the Police Station forecourt; presumably to repel drunk Lao drivers?. Of course there are not many motorbikes here. Most people are driving red number plated Vigos, MU7s,and late model Mercedes. And do not think I am joking!!

Edited September 15, 2014 by laolover88

[GuyL]

Living in deepest Issan, traffic is a terrible problem. Most accidents are caused by people reversing out of narrow sois onto the main road assuming there will be no traffic there. Saw a spectacular 4 vehicle pile up yesterday caused by this.

Helmets? There are, here, none of those admonitory 100% signs. I am not aware of any shop in town that actually sells them. Policemen? Only policemen I have seen were doing weapons drill in the Police Station forecourt; presumably to repel drunk Lao drivers?. Of course there are not many motorbikes here. Most people are driving red number plated Vigos, MU7s,and late model Mercedes. And do not think I am joking!!

Most people are driving red number plated Vigos, MU7s, and late model Mercedes? Well, not in my deepest part of Isan (or Isaan, Isarn, Issan, Esarn... ok, Northeastern Thailand!) where the most common vehicule is probably an old Honda Wave motorbike or similar. There, you may often see old Isuzu, Toyota, Nissan (and a few other brands) pickup trucks, some small and medium-size (mostly Japanese) cars, but very seldom a late model Mercedes. I have never seen one in a rural village of Northeastern Thailand, but yes, such cars may be sometimes seen in a provincial capital such as Udon Thani, Nong Khai, etc. But that's certainly not what 'most people' are driving here.

[Radar501]

Road safety begins with taking personal responsibility for one's actions, and if that fails, a touch of divine intervention.

This guy has brought the divine intervention, but forgot to bring his helmet!