Parents upset over ban on children riding motorbikes

[Lite Beer]

Parents upset over ban on children riding motorbikes
Kawin Praneetlekha
The Nation

File Photo

BANGKOK: -- A proposed ban on young children riding on motorcycles has upset many parents who use a bike to send their children to school.

"What am I supposed to do if this proposal gets the green light", lamented Darame Paitisakul, who has a four-year-old son.

She said she did not trust school bus services in the wake of reports that some kids had been left in school vans and suffocated.

On Wednesday, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) proposed that motorcycle passengers must be more than six years old.

Many child motorcycle passengers are often seen without safety helmets.

Statistics show a huge number of children have died or been injured in motorcycle accidents.

Of all road accidents, about 80 per cent involve motorcycles.

A study found that child passengers often fall asleep while on motorcycles.

"We believe it's necessary to put a warning label on every motorcycle too. The label should read "Death and disability without using helmet". The label must be shown clearly on the motorcycle," OCPB deputy secretary general Virachai Chomsakorn said.

While the OCPB's intention is good, its proposal has had a cool reception.

Boonta Vicheanchuy, a factory worker, said she usually hired a motorcycle taxi to send her boy to school.

"The school bus services will be more expensive. I can't afford them," she said.

Thawichai Milarp, a government official, believed the ban on young kids riding on motorcycles would violate people's rights.

"If we don't use motorcycles, my children will have to wake up before sunrise because of traffic jams," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Parents-upset-over-ban-on-children-riding-motorbik-30256008.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-14

[chooka]

So trying to bring the road toll down is a violation of people's rights. This country will never move forward with attitudes like that.

[krisb]

Look at the pic!

Long as dad's head protected!

[pubboy]

Bugger being passengers, when are they going to stop them riding motorbikes to school. Everyday I take my daughter to hers I see kids as young as 10 riding bikes passed traffic cops who don't blink an eye.

[rhythmworx]

Yeah put a sticker on it, problem sorted.

[KunMatt]

"She said she did not trust school bus services in the wake of reports that some kids had been left in school vans and suffocated."

How many kids die in Thailand every day because of motorbike accidents compared to the one or two times that a child was left in a van here?

My wife's family refuse to fly because "it's so dangerous" so they drive a car or take a bus from Isaan to Bangkok at night time with no worries at all or they drive a scooter 70km/h on a highway with 3 people and no helmets, and they see no danger in that.

[chooka]

Look at the pic!

Long as dad's head protected!

Can get more kids but can't get any more of me attitude.

[Robby nz]

In many parts of the country there is no other way for parents to get their kids anywhere, school, doctor wherever other than to use their only form of transport their motorbike. There are no school buses or public transport in many places so there is no alternative other than walking long distances.

Rather than a ban make helmets for kids easily available and cheap, even free in some poor areas to poor parents.

How many children are killed on bikes when with their parents ? I would suspect few as parents would be more careful with kids aboard.

Most of the deaths and injuries on bikes would be from those who race around, no helmets, no license.

More and better policing rather than bans and stickers.

[rametindallas]

I know it is difficult to put yourself in the place of those who struggle to make ends meet but there are dangers everywhere and for many, as evidenced by the number of children passengers on motorbikes, it is the only practical form of transport for them. Since Thais are Buddhist, they believe that if they or their child is injured/killed, it is Karma. In Texas, it is not required for adults on motorcycles to wear helmets. People are also allowed to ride in the back of a pick-up truck with no seat belts. It's called 'personal freedom'. I know many of you who grew up with 'nanny state' governments are horrified at the thought of someone having the choice of a less-safe option, but Nanny States are expensive; both in compliance and enforcement. In time, if the political thieving can be minimized, Thailand will grow more prosperous and can afford to force its citizens into cars. Until then, try to put yourself in the place of poor people whose options are limited by their income.

[rametindallas]

In many parts of the country there is no other way for parents to get their kids anywhere, school, doctor wherever other than to use their only form of transport their motorbike. There are no school buses or public transport in many places so there is no alternative other than walking long distances.

Rather than a ban make helmets for kids easily available and cheap, even free in some poor areas to poor parents.

How many children are killed on bikes when with their parents ? I would suspect few as parents would be more careful with kids aboard.

Most of the deaths and injuries on bikes would be from those who race around, no helmets, no license.

More and better policing rather than bans and stickers.

Enforcing mandatory helmet laws and drink driving laws would save a lot of tragedy.

[NeverSure]

Texas. Yep, I believe in freedom until someone is hurt badly and the state has to pay for their medical care or pay to put the kids in foster care. If we follow the freedom idea to it's logical conclusion, then there shouldn't be any state aid available because I want to be free to not pay for those people's actions.

I don't know the answer. I don't know the answer to kids on scooters in Thailand when the parents can barely afford even that transportation.

I hate to see kids get hurt and I hate a nanny state.

I don't know.

Edited March 13, 2015 by NeverSure

[selftaopath]

This mentality:

"Thawichai Milarp, a government official, believed the ban on young kids riding on motorcycles would violate people’s rights."

Thais seem to think that being "FREE" means no rules, and they do not need to adhere to any social restrictions. They want to do what they want when they want. Again another example of me... ism. Oh maybe this is just "Thainess."

[espinoza]

In many parts of the country there is no other way for parents to get their kids anywhere, school, doctor wherever other than to use their only form of transport their motorbike. There are no school buses or public transport in many places so there is no alternative other than walking long distances.

Rather than a ban make helmets for kids easily available and cheap, even free in some poor areas to poor parents.

How many children are killed on bikes when with their parents ? I would suspect few as parents would be more careful with kids aboard.

Most of the deaths and injuries on bikes would be from those who race around, no helmets, no license.

More and better policing rather than bans and stickers.

What do you mean with this crap ? Licence... Have the licence ever prevented an accident ? Have Thai parents ever been careful about their kids ? All Thais should been banned for driving any vehicle until they learned how to handle it and how to behave in traffic. Ask any Thai what the road markings means. I bet 99% of them think its for decoration. Ask any Thai which side of the road they should drive. I bet 100% of the do not know. Ask any Thai how many passenger are allowed in a 5 seat car. Even the police do not know. <deleted> up country, totally, because of the corruption. Me me me and me.

[96tehtarp]

OK, ban children riding pillion on motorcycles. Now, how are all these millions of people going to go about their daily business?

Edited March 14, 2015 by 96tehtarp

[selftaopath]

I know it is difficult to put yourself in the place of those who struggle to make ends meet but there are dangers everywhere and for many, as evidenced by the number of children passengers on motorbikes, it is the only practical form of transport for them. Since Thais are Buddhist, they believe that if they or their child is injured/killed, it is Karma. In Texas, it is not required for adults on motorcycles to wear helmets. People are also allowed to ride in the back of a pick-up truck with no seat belts. It's called 'personal freedom'. I know many of you who grew up with 'nanny state' governments are horrified at the thought of someone having the choice of a less-safe option, but Nanny States are expensive; both in compliance and enforcement. In time, if the political thieving can be minimized, Thailand will grow more prosperous and can afford to force its citizens into cars. Until then, try to put yourself in the place of poor people whose options are limited by their income.

Pennsylvania, U.S.A. repealed it's helmet laws and Hawaii, U.S.A. never had them.

How much "safety rhetoric" has come from manufactures/lobbyists vs real research and statistics? I've seen reports (years ago) that a helmet being worn can cause death. Now that's interesting eh?

[Fiddlesticks]

I know it is difficult to put yourself in the place of those who struggle to make ends meet but there are dangers everywhere and for many, as evidenced by the number of children passengers on motorbikes, it is the only practical form of transport for them. Since Thais are Buddhist, they believe that if they or their child is injured/killed, it is Karma. In Texas, it is not required for adults on motorcycles to wear helmets. People are also allowed to ride in the back of a pick-up truck with no seat belts. It's called 'personal freedom'. I know many of you who grew up with 'nanny state' governments are horrified at the thought of someone having the choice of a less-safe option, but Nanny States are expensive; both in compliance and enforcement. In time, if the political thieving can be minimized, Thailand will grow more prosperous and can afford to force its citizens into cars. Until then, try to put yourself in the place of poor people whose options are limited by their income.

Pennsylvania, U.S.A. repealed it's helmet laws and Hawaii, U.S.A. never had them.

How much "safety rhetoric" has come from manufactures/lobbyists vs real research and statistics? I've seen reports (years ago) that a helmet being worn can cause death. Now that's interesting eh?

Talk about comparing apples and oranges! The number of motorcycle riders in PA and HI compared to those in Thailand! We are talking apples and watermelons here! Law enforcement in PA and HI compared to Thailand. Drunk driving in PA and HI compared to Thailand. The sheer number of deaths from motorcycles in PA and HI versus Thailand!

Gotta say, you picked a real s*@t example to make your rather ambiguous case.

Do you REALLY believe that wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle here in Thailand is more dangerous than NOT wearing one???

NO, it is NOT interesting, it's absurd!

[MYKTHEMIN]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

[KunMatt]

I know it is difficult to put yourself in the place of those who struggle to make ends meet but there are dangers everywhere and for many, as evidenced by the number of children passengers on motorbikes, it is the only practical form of transport for them. Since Thais are Buddhist, they believe that if they or their child is injured/killed, it is Karma. In Texas, it is not required for adults on motorcycles to wear helmets. People are also allowed to ride in the back of a pick-up truck with no seat belts. It's called 'personal freedom'. I know many of you who grew up with 'nanny state' governments are horrified at the thought of someone having the choice of a less-safe option, but Nanny States are expensive; both in compliance and enforcement. In time, if the political thieving can be minimized, Thailand will grow more prosperous and can afford to force its citizens into cars. Until then, try to put yourself in the place of poor people whose options are limited by their income.

Pennsylvania, U.S.A. repealed it's helmet laws and Hawaii, U.S.A. never had them.

How much "safety rhetoric" has come from manufactures/lobbyists vs real research and statistics? I've seen reports (years ago) that a helmet being worn can cause death. Now that's interesting eh?

What are you talking about because it sounds like you are arguing against the case of making the roads safer here for kids. Is that really your opinion??

Just one statistic to think about, Thailand is the 2nd most dangerous country in the world for road accidents and that with all the cover ups and useless reporting here. Officially 70 people die every day in road accidents in Thailand, and that is only people who die at the scene. Anybody who dies in hospital is not included in the stats.

[ExPratt]

Making areas safe for pedestrians would also be beneficial , I'm sure plenty of children live withing walking distance of their schools and go on the back of Mum and Dads motorbike because there are no safe places to walk. For kids who are passengers on bikes and riding bikes themselves from an early age its normal to be on a bike and they become complacent riding when they are older.

[Fat Haggis]

Thai driving standards on all vehicles is poor, but what can you do other than take as many precautions as best you can.

Last night driving home there was a long line if traffic, I sat patiently in it, and there was pick ups with workers in the back overtaking 4-8 vehicles at a time, forcing oncoming and other vehicles in the line to brake hard, and it was raining too and the roads were wet.

I consider myself as a safe and conscious driver, but the Thais scare the crap out of me with their driving.

As fo the OP very hard to enforce in rural areas, especially when cops do it all the time too!!

[PatOngo]

The most prevelant way to avoid accidents is COMMON SENSE...........therein lies the problem!

[bim]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

I could not agree more. One of the many reasons I love living here. I am a bit fed up of these little western nazis trying to impose there values on places like Thailand. If the law doesnt effect you stop trying to impose it on others. I know when I get in a car without a seat belt or bike without a helmet that it is more unsafe. My choice end of. I dont need a government to try and save me from myself.

[ExPratt]

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

The most prevelant way to avoid accidents is COMMON SENSE...........therein lies the problem!

Not sure you can call it common sense its not so common here

I always tend to fine that when I work in Asia people have very little concept of cause and effect ,A leads to B leads to C. Its just "I'm doing A, I'll worry about B when I'm doing that"

[KunMatt]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

I could not agree more. One of the many reasons I love living here. I am a bit fed up of these little western nazis trying to impose there values on places like Thailand. If the law doesnt effect you stop trying to impose it on others. I know when I get in a car without a seat belt or bike without a helmet that it is more unsafe. My choice end of. I dont need a government to try and save me from myself.

Have you actually read what this thread is about?

[bim]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

I could not agree more. One of the many reasons I love living here. I am a bit fed up of these little western nazis trying to impose there values on places like Thailand. If the law doesnt effect you stop trying to impose it on others. I know when I get in a car without a seat belt or bike without a helmet that it is more unsafe. My choice end of. I dont need a government to try and save me from myself.

Have you actually read what this thread is about?

Yes so whats your point?

[KunMatt]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

I could not agree more. One of the many reasons I love living here. I am a bit fed up of these little western nazis trying to impose there values on places like Thailand. If the law doesnt effect you stop trying to impose it on others. I know when I get in a car without a seat belt or bike without a helmet that it is more unsafe. My choice end of. I dont need a government to try and save me from myself.

Have you actually read what this thread is about?

Yes so whats your point?

So why have you started on your little rant about western Nazis then? Is Thailand proposing a solution to children being killed in motorbike accidents affecting your rights?

[noosard]

Don't complain when the police pull you over and fine you

[samsensam]

pass all the laws you want - and to be honest what is more precious than the life of a child? - but unless you have an law enforcement agency prepared to enforce the law you're wasting your time.

[Jeremy50]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

You will only have to bang your head once and survive it, and I can guarantee that you will change your mind.

[BSJ]

I love my freedom here and riding my bike with NO helmet, it is called freedom and I hate all the nanny state do gooders who preach about safety all the time, jeees it is not safe to walk down the street so we will all have to stay indoors in padded cells to stop hurting ourselves!!!! Live your life how you want to and stop telling others how to live theirs.

Well put, it seems " the nanny state do gooders" are posting on TVF regularly now!