Seven dangerous days: Road toll worse than last year on fifth day

[Norvid 1950]

Thailand is not "Land of the smile" but rather "Land of Killing Roads".

[AlphMichaels]

Another Thai Fail, Educate then we will be Impressed...

Agree. Educate, fine with prejudice (big baht), revoke license, imprison for harm to others as a result of reckless driving...., ENFORCE! It's the only way and the sooner highway patrols are tasked with enforcing driving laws/safety, the sooner driving habits will improve. Sure, everyone will say it will never happen. I submit it HAS to happen and someday it will.

[ignis]

26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving.

17 per cent speeding.

And the remaining 57 per cent ???

Fatalities, injuries and accidents were ""significantly"" higher than during the same period last year.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been ""successful"".

300 people killed in the 5 days ??

These statistics have no accuracy.

The average road-deaths per day is 72.

3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25 ??

That's 10 drivers charged per vehicle.

This entire article is nonsense !!

Have no idea, but just thought when reading this that 3,046 vehicles were seized because they were the only person or driver in the car ?

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

Anyway is about time All cars and Buses were fitted with some device that could not start the engine if the driver was over the limit..

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

That sounds as, oh you're pissed as hell behind the steering wheel, but since one of your passengers is less drunk everything is fine.

I don't think that was how the program was explained the start of the 7 days.

Maybe the 30 + thousand included the motorbikes ? read somewhere there was well over 20,000 motorbikes seized ? as the riders was over the limit

[DM07]

The worst thing about this "news"?

You could actually take last news- article on the "7 dangerous days" and print it today...no one would notice.

Do the same for Songkhran and you have a few free days as a journalist!

[Artisi]

26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving.

17 per cent speeding.

And the remaining 57 per cent ???

Fatalities, injuries and accidents were ""significantly"" higher than during the same period last year.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been ""successful"".

300 people killed in the 5 days ??

These statistics have no accuracy.

The average road-deaths per day is 72.

3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25 ??

That's 10 drivers charged per vehicle.

This entire article is nonsense !!

Be very careful you aren't asked to attend some attitude adjustment, pointing out known facts of stupidity are not considered kosher under the current order.

[clockman]

The only country that can turn a disaster into a success. True Thainess!

[AlQaholic]

Post #13:

"Education

They do not keep left at all times except to overtake.

They have no clue that cars on round about

Have priority .

Flash headlight should mean I see you please pass .

Not I see you and you wait for ME to pass."

Actually in Thailand the Law permits one to overtake on any side, provided there are lanes. Definition of a lane is same as in the west: if there is space for any number of vehicles side by side, then the number of lanes is same as number of vehicles, except when the lanes are clearly marked on the road surface.

In Thailand the law says that the car coming into a roundabout has the right of way.

The Thai law clearly says the car already in the roundabout has right of way.

Yes, Sorry I was wrong regarding the roundabout. The vehicle already in the roundabout has the right of way. Only when vehicles enter the roundabout at the same time, the vehicle to the left has the right of way. However as observed, most Thai drivers seem to follow the "vehicle to the left has the right of way" even when you are in the roundabout. My comment came from this observation, but the law clearly states what you say, car already in the roundabout has the right of way.

And for overtaking on the inside, that is only allowed if there are marked lanes on the road surface.

Edited January 4, 2016 by AlQaholic

[Denim]

26 % of accidents caused by drunk driving

17% of accidents caused by speeding

So...... 57 % of accidents caused by sober people driving slowly .

Statistics

[Artisi]

First it is stated in this article that more people have been killed and injured on the roads than in the same period last year and then almost immediately after this someone supposedly in authority states that the new system of seizing drunk drivers' vehicles has been a success....... What a non-sequitur! Nothing is going to improve these statistics, which are depressingly the same year upon year until: a) there is a realistic driving test, people are educated about the effects of alcohol on driving, c) some serious punishments are meted out to those who break the law, d) the police get serious about applying the road traffic and driving laws that already exist to everyone and not just to those poor blighters who aren't rich or don't have connections. The road tragedy enacted twice a year in this country is - or should be - a national scandal.

Seizing vehicles may have had an effect on the overall kill rate, although it would be interesting to know how many vehicles were impounded prior to /after any accident. Would it be fair to assume many vehicles were impounded after an event?

[TheCruncher]

26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving.

17 per cent speeding.

And the remaining 57 per cent ???

Fatalities, injuries and accidents were ""significantly"" higher than during the same period last year.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been ""successful"".

300 people killed in the 5 days ??

These statistics have no accuracy.

The average road-deaths per day is 72.

3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25 ??

That's 10 drivers charged per vehicle.

This entire article is nonsense !!

Have no idea, but just thought when reading this that 3,046 vehicles were seized because they were the only person or driver in the car ?

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

Anyway is about time All cars and Buses were fitted with some device that could not start the engine if the driver was over the limit..

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

That sounds as, oh you're pissed as hell behind the steering wheel, but since one of your passengers is less drunk everything is fine.

I don't think that was how the program was explained the start of the 7 days.

Maybe the 30 + thousand included the motorbikes ? read somewhere there was well over 20,000 motorbikes seized ? as the riders was over the limit

No idea where you got those figures, but the OP clearly says that a total of 3046 vehicles have been seized, and if look at the threads from previous days you will notice that this includes both motorbikes and cars.

[AlQaholic]

I just took a close look at the Thai Land traffic act again, funny reading sometimes. I just found out that fleeing the scene of the accident carries the horrendous punishment of a fine of 2000 Baht/1 month imprisonment. And of course you are automatically declared at fault in the accident itself.

[Artisi]

What a nonsense to impound the vehicles of suspected " drink / drug drivers ".

Most of the retarded morons of confiscated vehicles will be back on the roads causing even more carnage in / on a vehicle that they borrowed from their brother / sister / friend within a couple of hours.

The vehicles are not guilty of the crime, the drivers are ! lock up the drivers

A more appropriate course of action would be to stick these sicko,s in a metal cage on the roadside, for all to see for a period of 5 days to allow them to dry out.

Better still, stick them in the monkey house immeadiately for a period of 50 days, during which time they will have lost their face, jobs, vehicles and any standing they may have had within their community.

This would cause massive loss of face, and be would be an immeadiate deterant to any others who think that drinking and driving is a perfectly acceptable thing to do.

Tough and a good idea, but would / could never happen - can you just imagine the outcry from the bleeding hearts and the amount of brown paper bags that would need to be arranged.

[BlindMagician]

Traditional "thinking" again looking very childish when they attempt to move from being a third world nation.

[ignis]

No idea where you got those figures, but the OP clearly says that a total of 3046 vehicles have been seized, and if look at the threads from previous days you will notice that this includes both motorbikes and cars.

Yesterday in the Daily Newspaper we cannot mention here.. 21,690 Motorbike riders arrested

[wow64]

Got stopped on the way back to Bangkok.. Just after a toll. The Police office asked if I had drank any alcohol... I said no and was on my way.. How is this enforcing the rules? I guess if I was drunk I would have said yes.

[Artisi]

Got stopped on the way back to Bangkok.. Just after a toll. The Police office asked if I had drank any alcohol... I said no and was on my way.. How is this enforcing the rules? I guess if I was drunk I would have said yes.

Of course, all Thai's who have been drinking would naturally answer yes.......

[nev]

26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving.

17 per cent speeding.

And the remaining 57 per cent ???

Fatalities, injuries and accidents were ""significantly"" higher than during the same period last year.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been ""successful"".

300 people killed in the 5 days ??

These statistics have no accuracy.

The average road-deaths per day is 72.

3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25 ??

That's 10 drivers charged per vehicle.

This entire article is nonsense !!

Have no idea, but just thought when reading this that 3,046 vehicles were seized because they were the only person or driver in the car ?

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

Anyway is about time All cars and Buses were fitted with some device that could not start the engine if the driver was over the limit..

all the others the driver was charged with drink drive, but another person/driver NOT over the limit was able to continue

That sounds as, oh you're pissed as hell behind the steering wheel, but since one of your passengers is less drunk everything is fine.

I don't think that was how the program was explained the start of the 7 days.

Maybe the 30 + thousand included the motorbikes ? read somewhere there was well over 20,000 motorbikes seized ? as the riders was over the limit

Did the ones who got caught drink driving get a 10,000 baht fine and 1 months jail as well as the vehicle seized ? Or is that only for farangs caught.

I expect the jails are busting the seems with foolish drink driving Thais except the hiso's.

[tuanku]

revealed that 3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25.

This only makes sense of you add a zero to the first figure, or take one away from the second.

The first option is more realistic and the second more likely

[o2eZy]

can you imagine what the revenue would be if the cops booked these idiot riders/drivers for breaking the road rules ..cops would not need tea money because maybe they might get paid more if they worked ...here's hoping...

[Sutty]

Another Thai Fail, Educate then we will be Impressed...

educate? not in this life time! hell, these people don't even have to have a drivers license to buy a car! and the drivers test? all they do is look at a film, are scolded to drive properly , they do not undergo a street driving test.AND they believe in Karma! plus they have only been driving as a mass for less than forty years, that and their attitude that they are better than the regular folks because they have a "car" or truck fuels the attitude,

" last year i honked my horn numerous times at a push cart driver to get him over, he jumped off his motorcy, opened my left hand door and when he noticed I was a falang, he apologized! dam fool! almost got out of my truck and back handed his sorry ass!

The General is on the right track, but it is going to be a very long haul to keep these people from killing each other on the road!

Not only Thais I know numerous farangs driving and owning vehicles who have no licence thai or own country. But that's they way it is and we Ai t ever going to change it. My Mrs drives car and MC no licences never had then been driving 20 years now asked her why not get Licences answer WHY. Yes she has been stopped paid 200 bht got back in waved at officer and drove off. So WHY indeed

[DavidB4]

It was a VERY successful program, successful at lining their pockets with the impound fees and fines.

[skilled]

Another Thai Fail, Educate then we will be Impressed...

educate? not in this life time! hell, these people don't even have to have a drivers license to buy a car! and the drivers test? all they do is look at a film, are scolded to drive properly , they do not undergo a street driving test.AND they believe in Karma! plus they have only been driving as a mass for less than forty years, that and their attitude that they are better than the regular folks because they have a "car" or truck fuels the attitude,

" last year i honked my horn numerous times at a push cart driver to get him over, he jumped off his motorcy, opened my left hand door and when he noticed I was a falang, he apologized! dam fool! almost got out of my truck and back handed his sorry ass!

The General is on the right track, but it is going to be a very long haul to keep these people from killing each other on the road!

Not only Thais I know numerous farangs driving and owning vehicles who have no licence thai or own country. But that's they way it is and we Ai t ever going to change it. My Mrs drives car and MC no licences never had then been driving 20 years now asked her why not get Licences answer WHY. Yes she has been stopped paid 200 bht got back in waved at officer and drove off. So WHY indeed

because if she gets killed or kills someone or has an accident she will be declared guilty for not knowing legally how to drive as in not having a DL legally means she doesnt know how to. Thats why

[TheCruncher]

No idea where you got those figures, but the OP clearly says that a total of 3046 vehicles have been seized, and if look at the threads from previous days you will notice that this includes both motorbikes and cars.

Yesterday in the Daily Newspaper we cannot mention here.. 21,690 Motorbike riders arrested

Drivers arrested is something different from vehicle seized, don't you agree?

Is you vehicle seized every time you are arrested for a traffic offense?

[JAG]

All these U-turns are dangerous, appear many cars and motorbike drivers/rides have no idea what a turn signal [indicator] means on a bus or truck in the middle lane at such a U-turn..

Simply it impossible for these vehicles to make a U-turn by keeping to the right, yet almost every day I see car/trucks and motorbike going under trucks making these U turns.

Is it poor training ? appear so many have no idea how much room a big truck needs to make a turn........ and yes have seen the same on trucks turning left, they have no option but to be well out to make the turn, yet cars motorbikes try to undertake...... once the cab starts turning the mirrors can no longer see what is behind or alongside, they only know if they run over someone or over a car.

You're quite correct that lorries and busses cannot manage a U turn from the far right hand lane.

Perhaps they should not be allowed to make U turns?

[Gracas]

As hard as it may sound, Thailand is a little bit like the animal kingdom "survival of the fittest".

Only in the case of Thailand it is "survival of the luckiest".

[empireboy]

Educate PLEASE! Till that happens expect continuing bad outcomes

[Nicki D]

26 per cent of road accidents were caused by drunk driving.

17 per cent speeding.

And the remaining 57 per cent ???

Fatalities, injuries and accidents were ""significantly"" higher than during the same period last year.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd praised the campaign of seizing vehicles of drunk drivers, as it had been ""successful"".

300 people killed in the 5 days ??

These statistics have no accuracy.

The average road-deaths per day is 72.

3,046 vehicles were seized and 30,152 people were charged with drink driving since December 25 ??

That's 10 drivers charged per vehicle.

This entire article is nonsense !!

The word “nonsense” can be applied to entire Thailand's journalism industry, ethic, substance, accuracy, grammar, proofreading.....you name it.

[tigermoth]

Are these stats supposed to relate to the whole of the country, I think not. I have on a very reliable source that there are more than 300 deaths per day in Bangkok alone, the vast majority being motorcycles. The police just don't give a sh..... about the laws until they need some pocket money.

[JAG]

Are these stats supposed to relate to the whole of the country, I think not. I have on a very reliable source that there are more than 300 deaths per day in Bangkok alone, the vast majority being motorcycles. The police just don't give a sh..... about the laws until they need some pocket money.

109500+ road deaths in Bangkok alone in a year? Are you sure?

[JohnDodd]

I don't take heed of Thai statistics, living here for many years I notice they never change, but despite the carnage caused by these emotionally challenged locals I like driving in Thailand. During the much over rated "Holidays" I decided to go for an enjoyable, scenic drive, rather than face the horror of listening to drunken Thais(mostly blokes) trying to "sing" Luuk Tung songs that sound like funeral dirges to my ear. At 6am I left my home in KK and set out to explore the beautiful jangwat Loei went via road 12 to chum pear and then 201 to muang Loei arrived 10-30 found a room at new hotel at the bor kor sor and then continued my drive, up to Chiang khan, down the 2195 to Taa Lee and followed the border and up to Puu Rua, at a coffee shop there I sat and enjoyed an iced latte, and rolled a fag sat near road edge, and whack the first pile up right in front of my eyes(50mtr) head on trying to o/take, Fortunner and a Honda, lot of damage to cars but no injuries thankfully. Drove along that 203 was a sight of the worst driving possible, suicidal overtaking but got back to my hotel no problem. Next morning after an Americano made with local coffee I was ready for another long wander around the" bluehighways" of Loei, different route to Taa Lee, 2115 and stopped for another coffee and a chat to some locals who were friendlier than the locals in KK, I found the same friendliness in Ch/Khan, onto Bak Chom and continued down the 2108 to Loei and then back onto the 201 to Chum Pair, now anyone who knows this road will understand that it is a perfect road to drive, but not on New Year in LOS, on one stretch between wangsapung, saw 3 major prangs a brand new D-max almost totalled with bodies lying around, I didn't stop, just had a glance, another 10 kliks a 3 car shunt on a dead straight road, drivers all standing, just before FaaNok Kaow, 2 vehicles lying on their sides, and even more mayhem on the 12 back to KK where I eventually arrived at 3-30pm. I enjoyed the trip, even had a few laughs to myself at the antics of these Thai drivers, whom when it comes to driving some weird occurrence to their psyche seems to take place. T.I.T.