Agency turns to YouTube to promote helmets

[Lite Beer]

Agency turns to YouTube to promote helmets
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation has joined forces with Save the Children Fund to launch a minute-long clip on YouTube, campaigning for children to wear a helmet while on motorbikes.

The clip, part of the "Seven Per Cent Project", features local and foreign stars such as host John Winyu, actor Dom Hetrakul, Ukulele protege Sophicha "Gail" Angkawaimongkol as well as South Korean girl band "Crayon Pop".

It aims to boost the number of Thai children who wear helmets from 7 per cent to 60 per cent nationwide by 2017. As many as 1.3 million students travel to school by motorcycle.

Members of the public have also been invited to pledge their support for the campaign at www.7-percent.org. The campaign has garnered 8,000 of the 20,000 signatures it is aiming for.

The list of people supporting the campaign will be handed to agencies such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Education Ministry early next year to promote road safety.

AIP Foundation country director Ratanawadee Hemnithi Winther said they were working with families, schools and communities to instil awareness of road safety, especially making helmets mandatory for children riding on motorbikes. She said the foundation hoped the BMA and Education Ministry would join the campaign in creating a road-safety culture in Bangkok, which would hopefully spread nationwide.

Thailand has the second highest number of road deaths, according to the World Health Organisation's latest report, with an average of 2,600 children killed and 72,000 injured in road accidents every year.

The clip can be watched at

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Agency-turns-to-YouTube-to-promote-helmets-30250325.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-21

[Crazy chef 1]

It aims to boost the number of Thai children who wear helmets...

​when riding the bike or as passengers???

[Seastallion]

Aiming for 60%? Why not aim for 100%?!

And if the campaign openly states "60%", how many people will think, "Oh, so I don't have to get my child to wear one as I can be part of the 40%".

[Caveat Emptor]

There's more to this than just encouraging the use of helmets.

Like every other poster I'm sure, I see youngsters on motor cycles, often with a friend or two on board, going to school and trying not to stop because they can't balance since their feet don't reach the ground.

Parents and school authorities don't seem in the least bit concerned.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Isn't it just easier for the police to enforce the law non-corruptly and give tickets and confiscate the bikes of the huge amounts of children 12 yo drivers in Thailand and non licensed adults.

[NongKhaiKid]

Isn't it just easier for the police to enforce the law non-corruptly and give tickets and confiscate the bikes of the huge amounts of children 12 yo drivers in Thailand and non licensed adults.

Talking about traffic law as a basic example the indiscipline etc is so ingrained that it would be a monumental task to correct it and would require co-operation from so many sectors of govt and society e.g the BIB,, courts, schools, parents and so on.

Does anyone really think it can be achieved ?

It's easy to say strict enforcement and suitable penalties but that would require a sea change in attitudes that just won't happen.

[jaltsc]

"The Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation has joined forces with Save the Children Fund to launch a minute-long clip on YouTube, campaigning for children to wear a helmet while on motorbikes."

It's a complete farce to believe that anything except strict enforcement will achieve this goal. I continue to see riders with their helmets hooked to their handle bars and only put them on when approaching a police inspection station, which is always at the same place. Thais continue to believe that the only reason to wear a helmet is because they can get fined if they are caught without wearing one. I hardly see child passengers wearing helmets.

Even more dangerous is the situation in an auto where the child is sitting on the lap of the passenger in the front seat. Thais don't appear to grasp the concept of safety or preventative measures.

[casualbiker]

In Vietnam they decided that wearing helmets would be compulsory so they enacted a new law.. it was a success.

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/countrywork/20_12_2007/en/

[billd766]

Out in rural Thailand where I live the average helmet wearers are about 35% rising to over 80% as you get closer to Khampaeng Phet.

Out here the only school transport is either the pickup, the minibus, some school buses or the motorbike.

I have always felt that one of the best popular "giveaway programmes" would be for the police to visit ALL the schools with gruesome videos of motorbike accidents, show them to the children and explain that this can happen to xx% of them. Also take some watermelons along and demonstrate the difference with and without a helmet.

After that give the children helmets and explain that from that point there will only be ONE warning after which the motorcycle will be impounded until a fine is paid.

It may not work that well but it is better than what is happening at the moment.

[mikemac]

If there had been even only one single person in Government in the past who was really serious about making riders wear helmets it would not be an issue right now.

To get through to them hit it where it hurts, in the pocket and in the feet.

1,000 baht fine, first offense, confiscation of motorcycle for min 24 hrs, with further offenses attracting larger fines and longer confiscation times.

And enforce it day and night, everywhere, not just at the end of Nawarat Bridge every Friday from 11.00 - 1.00.

The Thais will wear their helmets if the fines are big enough and they risk having to walk for a while.

[timewilltell]

If there had been even only one single person in Government in the past who was really serious about making riders wear helmets it would not be an issue right now.

To get through to them hit it where it hurts, in the pocket and in the feet.

1,000 baht fine, first offense, confiscation of motorcycle for min 24 hrs, with further offenses attracting larger fines and longer confiscation times.

And enforce it day and night, everywhere, not just at the end of Nawarat Bridge every Friday from 11.00 - 1.00.

The Thais will wear their helmets if the fines are big enough and they risk having to walk for a while.

That is not the Thai way. You have to understand Thainess and then you will understand why no one gives a hoot about what the laws are. The laws are just to make the place LOOK like it has a semblance of Rule of Law when, like everything pretty much here, the truth is the opposite of the presentation.

You are right of course. If they applied the law it would work and you can see that working as they are zealous about applying the immigration laws - except those to give citizenship to foreign males of course.

[recom273]

In Vietnam they decided that wearing helmets would be compulsory so they enacted a new law.. it was a success.

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/countrywork/20_12_2007/en/

Vietnam is a good example ( although it still has a huge accident rate ).

Not wearing a helmet even out in the village will get people wagging fingers in disapproval and if ( like me ) you aren't wearing one, people will stop you and inform you to the best of their ability that you will be caught and fined.

Its almost like a fashion statement in Vietnam, OK, some helmets are like useless hard baseball caps, but in the city they are fashionable articles to have on your head or over your arm alongside your facemask to keep the sun off.

Pillion passengers are also required to wear lids too.

Maybe something our great leader might want to look into rather than the usual Friday night babble.

[selftaopath]

There's more to this than just encouraging the use of helmets.

Like every other poster I'm sure, I see youngsters on motor cycles, often with a friend or two on board, going to school and trying not to stop because they can't balance since their feet don't reach the ground.

Parents and school authorities don't seem in the least bit concerned.

Correct. And they have no idea a/b the norms of the road. They seem to "mimic" what they see e.g. going the wrong way and being on the wrong side of the street when turning right.

BTW some studies have suggested wearing helmets can cause injury. PA, USA and HI, USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

[Tywais]

USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

Not correct. It is state by state and only two states do not have any helmet law.

[casualbiker]

USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

Not correct. It is state by state and only two states do not have any helmet law.

He did note an abbreviation PA and HI.. no idea what they mean exactly .. also stupid to think that wearing a helmet will injure you more than not wearing one!!!

[Tywais]

USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

Not correct. It is state by state and only two states do not have any helmet law.

He did note an abbreviation PA and HI.. no idea what they mean exactly .. also stupid to think that wearing a helmet will injure you more than not wearing one!!!

You're right, that is Hawaii and Pennsylvania but they both have partial helmet laws, only Iowa and Illinois have no form of helmet laws.

[berybert]

I hope this doesn't catch on and there will not be big fines for anyone driving/passengering on the road to wear a helmet.

Just imagine how many more will stick to the pavements.

[FangFerang]

If they get one kid to wear a helmet I'm all for it, and the response should be a few more than that.

[emilymat]

I'm no anatomy expert but the picture with the OP has those girls with helmets perched on the back of their heads.

I've seen loads of girls wearing helmets on the back of the head with the strap undone - presumably so a not to mess up the hair very much.

[Alwyn]

USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

Not correct. It is state by state and only two states do not have any helmet law.

He did note an abbreviation PA and HI.. no idea what they mean exactly .. also stupid to think that wearing a helmet will injure you more than not wearing one!!!

Nope, sorry but you're wrong to say stupid to think that wearing a helmet will injure you more than not wearing one. Helmets with a peak/sun visor on them are likely to break your neck if you fall face first. Also, the quality of crash helmets in Thailand is appalling and could crush into your head. Maybe change the word "will" to "could" would be more appropriate though.

[Alwyn]

I totally agree with the wearing of helmets on motor bikes and applaud the attempt by this video. However, what's the point in wearing a helmet if it's not for safety but to try to look cool? Those 5 girls in the video are ridiculous with the helmets planted to the rear of their heads and that will encourage others to do the same (hey, it's on the safety video, it must be right) What needs to be also addressed is the point of wearing a correct sized and fitting helmet. And for the sake of Buddha or somebody ban all of the 200 baht helmets for sale in Tesco and other places, they are useless, worse than useless in fact. I paid £300 for my helmet in the UK, I think the most expensive I've seen in Thailand is 900 baht or something! How can they be any good?

[Tomtomtom69]

Isn't it just easier for the police to enforce the law non-corruptly and give tickets and confiscate the bikes of the huge amounts of children 12 yo drivers in Thailand and non licensed adults.

Talking about traffic law as a basic example the indiscipline etc is so ingrained that it would be a monumental task to correct it and would require co-operation from so many sectors of govt and society e.g the BIB,, courts, schools, parents and so on.

Does anyone really think it can be achieved ?

It's easy to say strict enforcement and suitable penalties but that would require a sea change in attitudes that just won't happen.

I agree with you NongKhaiKid, but why not? Picture this, if law enforcement here were serious about tackling this problem they could rake in thousands and thousands of Baht per day in fines for non-compliance. By confiscating motorcycles and scooters of riders who don't follow the law and taking in money to get these bikes back, they'd make a killing.

Why are they so gutless and don't do that then? They would become rich (whether by payment of official or unofficial fines) and the Thai public would wisen up and actually wear their helmets!

It would be a win-win situation for everyone. Now if Vietnam, which is a much poorer country than Thailand can do it, then why not Thailand?

[Tomtomtom69]

USA do not require a helmet when operating a motorcycle... and not a little 125CC either.

Not correct. It is state by state and only two states do not have any helmet law.

He did note an abbreviation PA and HI.. no idea what they mean exactly .. also stupid to think that wearing a helmet will injure you more than not wearing one!!!

You're right, that is Hawaii and Pennsylvania but they both have partial helmet laws, only Iowa and Illinois have no form of helmet laws.

Apart from the fact that it seems incredibly strange and irresponsible that a fully developed country like the USA doesn't have a uniform and strict nationwide helmet law (you would think that they would be worried about and know the dangers of having a crash when not wearing a helmet) but there are very few motorcycles in the USA compared to Thailand, not to mention the much better roads and compliance with other traffic laws over there, so let's stick with what's wrong with Thailand's laws not the strange fact that you can ride helmet-less in some parts of the USA.

Thailand needs a helmet law and it needs to enforce it. The billions spent in hospital bills, the loss of income due to disability and death due to motorcycle accidents, where the riders didn't wear a helmet could easily be slashed if the authorities here were serious about enforcing the law and educating the public.

[Tomtomtom69]

In Vietnam they decided that wearing helmets would be compulsory so they enacted a new law.. it was a success.

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/countrywork/20_12_2007/en/

Vietnam is a good example ( although it still has a huge accident rate ).

Not wearing a helmet even out in the village will get people wagging fingers in disapproval and if ( like me ) you aren't wearing one, people will stop you and inform you to the best of their ability that you will be caught and fined.

Its almost like a fashion statement in Vietnam, OK, some helmets are like useless hard baseball caps, but in the city they are fashionable articles to have on your head or over your arm alongside your facemask to keep the sun off.

Pillion passengers are also required to wear lids too.

Maybe something our great leader might want to look into rather than the usual Friday night babble.

Another interesting thing in Vietnam is that NO ONE rides in the back of a pickup truck, perhaps because it is seen as dangerous and is probably illegal (unlike in Thailand) and the locals will happily point out an open door of a canopy of a pickup truck, which would be completely ignored here in Thailand.

You're right - in Vietnam they went from almost no riders wearing helmets (perhaps only 3% or so in Ho Chi Minh City some 10 years ago) to 99+% virtually overnight one day in 2007. While Vietnam is hardly the best country when it comes to road safety and their roads are absolutely atrocious compared even to Thai roads, but the fact that the authorities over there have managed to instill a "cultural change" in attitudes is what makes the whole change in law there a success.

How did they go about it? Well one thing was strict enforcement and heavy penalties for non-compliance. All over Vietnam, if you look closely you'll see the fuzz (aka police) with their helmets on, biggish bikes that could outrace almost anything else on the roads and at least one flatbed truck. Why the flatbed truck you might ask? Well so they can confiscate and haul away the bikes of traffic offenders, including those who don't wear a helmet! By all accounts the fines for not wearing a helmet are much stiffer in Vietnam, and the chance of getting caught much higher than in Thailand. It's something like 400,000 Dong (around 640 Baht or US$20/Eur 16) as a minimum, if you bargain hard perhaps half that amount. But in any case, those are no small amounts for poor farmers or factory workers in a country where the minimum wage is barely a third of Thailand's. If you can't pay, your bike is confiscated and you would have to pay an even larger amount than this to get it back. I think if you don't collect the bike within so and so long, the police auction off your bike and sell it.

And yet in Thailand the police has not come up with any ways of tackling the huge problem of Thais not wearing helmets or driving the wrong way down a road, riding with more than 2 people on a bike or anything else related to road traffic safety. Yet Thailand is much richer than Vietnam, and has more resources to tackle such issues. It's therefore mind boggling that Thailand has more lax enforcement of road safety than Vietnam yet it's much richer. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

And apart from enforcing the wearing of helmets, Vietnamese police are said to be quite strict with large vehicles driving in the wrong lanes or "undertaking" i.e. overtaking to the right (keep in mind they also drive on the right over there) and especially speeding. Although it's not easy to speed in densely populated Vietnam, especially with the crap infrastructure and all, but even on the few expressways they have, you'll never see anyone doing 150km/h for example. Perhaps this is because nobody has previously had the chance to drive that fast on any Vietnamese road since expressways are very new over there but also, even those that might be tempted wouldn't dare, due to being scared of the large fines that speeding entails. Apparently fines of 1 million Dong (some US$50 or around 1600 Baht) are routine after heavy bargaining, otherwise 2-3 million dong is more commonly requested by police at first. If you can't pay up immediately. they will hold onto your licence or registration, which you reclaim at the time of making payment at the police station whose jurisdiction you have violated traffic laws in. And these sorts of fines seem to work - while I don't think Vietnam has any more sophisticated system than that, but the threat of high fines and possible vehicle confiscation for serious traffic violations does encourage the majority of the population to respect traffic rules in Vietnam.

By comparison it's completely lawless in Thailand. I can drive at any speed on any given road and barely have to consider that I might get caught because I probably won't. And even if I did, I could either talk my way out of a fine or only receive a very small one (100 or 200 Baht). Same thing for not wearing a helmet, which is the topic of this thread. There is no incentive for change here in Thailand because no one cares, no one enforces the law and every "solution" suggested such as this one is going nowhere because there is no effective enforcement, that leads to a change in attitude. That's why, as another poster has mentioned, likely nothing will change, even though it isn't difficult and there is great potential in increasing revenue for the police department and reducing carnage on the roads, which leads to reduced hospital outlays, loss of income due to disability or death, that could occur if there was both stricter enforcement of traffic rules including higher fines, threats of vehicle confiscation/prison time/loss of licence etc. and a change in attitudes by the driving public.

[Bluespunk]

I believe x-hamster had a similar series of videos on helmet use called "the seven inch project".

Not sure how it went mind.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Bluespunk

[Tomtomtom69]

If there had been even only one single person in Government in the past who was really serious about making riders wear helmets it would not be an issue right now.

To get through to them hit it where it hurts, in the pocket and in the feet.

1,000 baht fine, first offense, confiscation of motorcycle for min 24 hrs, with further offenses attracting larger fines and longer confiscation times.

And enforce it day and night, everywhere, not just at the end of Nawarat Bridge every Friday from 11.00 - 1.00.

The Thais will wear their helmets if the fines are big enough and they risk having to walk for a while.

That is not the Thai way. You have to understand Thainess and then you will understand why no one gives a hoot about what the laws are. The laws are just to make the place LOOK like it has a semblance of Rule of Law when, like everything pretty much here, the truth is the opposite of the presentation.

You are right of course. If they applied the law it would work and you can see that working as they are zealous about applying the immigration laws - except those to give citizenship to foreign males of course.

Actually you were heading in the right direction but made a mistake in your last sentence. The Thais are still NOT zealous about applying immigration laws - in fact PM Prayuth Chan-o-cha himself stated that "Thailand needs to be lenient with border runners" presumably because all foreigners bring in a lot of income and there would be an effect on tourism if the authorities were going to go down too harshly on visa-less foreigners who've spent a little bit "too much" time here. So, just like lax enforcement of traffic laws it is by and large the same situation with immigration, Thailand remains a fairly easy country to enter and remain, even long term, on tourist visas or visa exemptions. You have to play the system a bit now but it's not all that more difficult compared to the past, relatively little has changed.

It's unfortunate that nothing will change with traffic laws either. I would like to bring up the example of a beautiful young lady, 29 years old I think she was who was tragically struck down and killed by a speeding truck on Asok-Montree road a couple of days ago. The lady was crossing at a zebra crossing, during the day I think and was hit and run over and died on the way to the hospital as a result of an impatient truck driver who ran a red light. This story was buzzing on Thai social media because of the lenient punishment the driver received.

Although he could be subject to a 10-year jail sentence, which if applied would actually be about what he should receive, the major outrage was that he was let go on bail after paying a paltry 80000 Baht fine. So her life was only worth 80000 Baht was it? Because with such lax laws and low penalties, of course no one will respect the law. All you need is a little bit of money to grease the police or the courts and off you go.

But nowhere in the list of comments on the Facebook story, which was linked from the original published in a Thai online newspaper did I read anyone who wasn't surprised and who advocated a change in attitudes and stricter law enforcement. Most people were simply caught up with the emotional side of the story, how tragic the loss was and how disgusting the law system is here, where someone can go on bail after doing a hit and run and pay only a measly 80000 Baht. Others, including Thais living overseas and those married to foreigners spoke only of the dangers of crossing a road in Thailand. Of course they are all right, but why nobody mentioned anything about not being surprised and how similar tragedies will continue to repeat themselves over and over again with no end in sight, until or unless there is stricter law enforcement and a change in attitude towards driving because without them, NOTHING will ever change, is equally surprising to me.

Probably it's because a change in attitudes is such a far-fetched idea in Thailand that no one would ever be able to think of it by themselves.

Edited December 21, 2014 by Tomtomtom69

[timewilltell]

If there had been even only one single person in Government in the past who was really serious about making riders wear helmets it would not be an issue right now.

To get through to them hit it where it hurts, in the pocket and in the feet.

1,000 baht fine, first offense, confiscation of motorcycle for min 24 hrs, with further offenses attracting larger fines and longer confiscation times.

And enforce it day and night, everywhere, not just at the end of Nawarat Bridge every Friday from 11.00 - 1.00.

The Thais will wear their helmets if the fines are big enough and they risk having to walk for a while.

That is not the Thai way. You have to understand Thainess and then you will understand why no one gives a hoot about what the laws are. The laws are just to make the place LOOK like it has a semblance of Rule of Law when, like everything pretty much here, the truth is the opposite of the presentation.

You are right of course. If they applied the law it would work and you can see that working as they are zealous about applying the immigration laws - except those to give citizenship to foreign males of course.

Actually you were heading in the right direction but made a mistake in your last sentence. The Thais are still NOT zealous about applying immigration laws - in fact PM Prayuth Chan-o-cha himself stated that "Thailand needs to be lenient with border runners" presumably because all foreigners bring in a lot of income and there would be an effect on tourism if the authorities were going to go down too harshly on visa-less foreigners who've spent a little bit "too much" time here. So, just like lax enforcement of traffic laws it is by and large the same situation with immigration, Thailand remains a fairly easy country to enter and remain, even long term, on tourist visas or visa exemptions. You have to play the system a bit now but it's not all that more difficult compared to the past, relatively little has changed.

It's unfortunate that nothing will change with traffic laws either. I would like to bring up the example of a beautiful young lady, 29 years old I think she was who was tragically struck down and killed by a speeding truck on Asok-Montree road a couple of days ago. The lady was crossing at a zebra crossing, during the day I think and was hit and run over and died on the way to the hospital as a result of an impatient truck driver who ran a red light. This story was buzzing on Thai social media because of the lenient punishment the driver received.

Although he could be subject to a 10-year jail sentence, which if applied would actually be about what he should receive, the major outrage was that he was let go on bail after paying a paltry 80000 Baht fine. So her life was only worth 80000 Baht was it? Because with such lax laws and low penalties, of course no one will respect the law. All you need is a little bit of money to grease the police or the courts and off you go.

But nowhere in the list of comments on the Facebook story, which was linked from the original published in a Thai online newspaper did I read anyone who wasn't surprised and who advocated a change in attitudes and stricter law enforcement. Most people were simply caught up with the emotional side of the story, how tragic the loss was and how disgusting the law system is here, where someone can go on bail after doing a hit and run and pay only a measly 80000 Baht. Others, including Thais living overseas and those married to foreigners spoke only of the dangers of crossing a road in Thailand. Of course they are all right, but why nobody mentioned anything about not being surprised and how similar tragedies will continue to repeat themselves over and over again with no end in sight, until or unless there is stricter law enforcement and a change in attitude towards driving because without them, NOTHING will ever change, is equally surprising to me.

Probably it's because a change in attitudes is such a far-fetched idea in Thailand that no one would ever be able to think of it by themselves.

Good post! Thais have it shoved down their throats from a young age that you should not criticize your elders and the courts are untouchable. The judges here have their decisions protected to a large degree despite the laws. It is probably a good thing because the reasoning in some cases I have read just does not stand up even to cursory scrutiny. Judges in quite senior positions here are really rather inexperienced and qualify by examination rather than by passing through the profession - the latter having a wonderful filtering effect on the least able that is just not present here. Hence the need to protect

[evil slabby]

Yeah because safety is sooooooooo uncool! I really hope this helps and is spread around.. And who knows? Maybe even the parents will start to enforce their kids to protect their melon!

[raybal5]

In Vietnam they decided that wearing helmets would be compulsory so they enacted a new law.. it was a success.

http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_traffic/countrywork/20_12_2007/en/

The main difference being that Vietnam is a communist country and people are conditioned to obey authority whereas Thailand's famous "mai pen rai" attitude prevails. Also, I suspect the police in Vietnam are rather more dilligent.

Even if they could get 100% of Thais wearing helmets, I doubt a high percentage would be wearing them correctly fastened or wearing a proper helmet. What I mean is, most helmets are pretty basic plastic shells and would offer little protection in the case of a head hitting something.

Yesterday, I saw two people on a bike wearing construction site helmets. OMG!