Beware: Road Safety Sign Ahead

[george]

Beware: Road safety sign ahead

BANGKOK: The mastermind behind a structure promoting the government's road-safety campaign yesterday defended his creation amid criticism that it was annoying passing motorists and was itself a hazard.

The structure features two life-sized dummies riding real motorcycles on a three-metre-high platform outside the Pathum Thani Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Centre on the Rangsit-Pathum Thani Road.

The "motorcyclists" are wearing helmets and black jackets and are illuminated at night by spotlights.

Many motorists and motorcyclists, however, have expressed concern that the structure could cause accidents as the motorcycles' headlamps and break lights are always on and annoy oncoming motorists when they look up at them, particularly at night.

Somsak Arrayabhun, 50, the engineer responsible for the structure, said the lights used did not produce a strong-enough beam of light to cause problems for motorists.

"The bulbs used only run off a 12-volt supply, which produces a very weak light when compared to 220 volts or fluorescent lamps," said Somsak, who heads the centre's Mechanical Academic Department.

"I don't think the lights annoy passing motorists and we don't mean to cause trouble to people," he added.

The government campaign aims to encourage motorcyclists to wear crash helmets and keep their headlamps on while riding.

Somsak said the structure cost Bt30,000 and took 20 days to complete.

His said the centre obtained permission from the Highways Department to install the structure.

Eleven more sites are planned for similar displays, Somsak said.

--The Nation 2004-03-16

[natee1]

Quote:

"The bulbs used only run off a 12-volt supply, which produces a very weak light when compared to 220 volts or fluorescent lamps," said Somsak, who heads the centre's Mechanical Academic Department.

The lights of ordinary "live" motorbikes appear to be bright enough, how many volts do they use- 12V, 220V ?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Quote:

"The bulbs used only run off a 12-volt supply, which produces a very weak light when compared to 220 volts or fluorescent lamps," said Somsak, who heads the centre's Mechanical Academic Department.

The lights of ordinary "live" motorbikes appear to be bright enough, how many volts do they use- 12V, 220V ?

High beam from cars using a 12 volt system are enough to dazzle one. I think old Somsak said the first thing that came into his mind. T i T