The motorcycle helmet issue and Thai roadways

[canathai8]

Thai roadways are called the second-most dangerous in the world by the world media by dint of published statistics, but IN FACT one may allege that they are the MOST dangerous roadways in the world for the following reasons:
1.Thailand does not adhere to World Health Organization road safety standards, so only those who actually die on the roadways are counted, not up to 30 days after a collision as per W.H.O. standards. This renders thousands of road fatality victims off the statistics, thus skewing the numbers way low.
2. Many Thais take their dead relatives off the roadway and to the hospital, so it looks like they died at the hospital, or en route. Why?? Because many, many Thais believe if you die on a roadway, your spirit will be relegated to wander the roadways for all eternity! This arcane believe is rooted in Animism. In general, most Thais believe in about a hundred things, like ghosts for example. Many roadway deaths are called accidents.**
3. **Thousands of actual road deaths are put down as generic accidents instead of road deaths, thus they are not counted as road fatalities. Only in Thailand you say?

After spending the last four months in Thailand, two (more) of my Thai relatives have died on motorbikes on Phuket, both in January 2016. In separate incidents, neither wore a helmet, but I cannot convince my Thai relatives to wear a motorcycle safety helmet. No sir!
Until systemic changes are made in Thai culture and Thai education, this trend will continue unabated..
Their road fatalities were not reported to police, and instead they went down as a generic "accidents." Road fatalities in the LOS are grossly underreported. Duh...

Constructive Comments?

[Rhys]

not a thing is going to be done.,,,,just more natural control sadly..

[canathai8]

not a thing is going to be done.,,,,just more natural control sadly..

The Darwin Awards are alive and well..

[canathai8]

Vanity takes a few down too

[tartempion]

Wearing a motorcycle helmet is to avoid the 100B fine, as soon no police is in sight they take it off (as witnessed just yesterday)

[Pib]

No need for Thais to change their attitude about wearing helmets (i.e., generally not wearing them except just before police checkpoints) because they are too hard headed.

[Jdiddy]

How many threads do we need on this topic?

Also helmet or no helmet, people will always die while riding motos

[papa al]

It's not the roadways that are dangerous,

rather the drivers.

[impulse]

Riding a scooter is 2000-4000% more dangerous per km than riding in a 4 wheel vehicle. Wearing a helmet reduces that risk by about 40%.

The safety Rubicon is crossed when they strap themselves onto a 2 wheeler- helmet or not.

Wearing a helmet when riding a scooter is like wearing a condom to get it on with a crack whore. Probably a good idea, but that's not the critical safety decision.

Edit: Keep in mind I am well aware of the economic reality that puts most Thai folks onto scooters instead of inside a 4 wheeler with a roof, seats and seatbelts. But some of us don't have the same economic considerations, and I post in hopes that even one less foreigner will be scraped off the highway in spite of the helmet because they reconsidered their choice of transport.

Edited February 21, 2016 by impulse

[papa al]

Interesting statistics!

Never saw that actual data before.

Thanks for sharing.

[sources please]

please]

[Rhys]

Vanity takes a few down too

missing the dog as well.

[moe666]

meaningless numberas unless you are one of them

[thrilled]

Look here your thinking that when wearing A helmet there will be no more motorcycle deaths.I have been to different areas,not Thailand that with

Mandatory helmet laws there were more deaths.The reason is some people think you can't die when wearing A helmet.It's giving them A false sense

Of security.

I've been riding motorcycles since 1967.I don't wear A helmet if I don't have to.I don't ride in big cities either.

The problem with Thailand is The larger the vehicle the more right of way you have.Trucks and buses have all the right of way.Motorcycles,bicycles,perdestrians have little to none.

[canathai8]

Look here your thinking that when wearing A helmet there will be no more motorcycle deaths.I have been to different areas,not Thailand that with

Mandatory helmet laws there were more deaths.The reason is some people think you can't die when wearing A helmet.It's giving them A false sense

Of security.

I've been riding motorcycles since 1967.I don't wear A helmet if I don't have to.I don't ride in big cities either.

The problem with Thailand is The larger the vehicle the more right of way you have.Trucks and buses have all the right of way.Motorcycles,bicycles,perdestrians have little to none.

With all due respect, I hope you don't wear this helmet. I put about 5 pounds of pressure on it and it folded like a cheap tent.

You may as well wear a baseball hat, or an empty ice cream bucket.

Painting the roads red is merely fine artwork..

[MatteoBassini]

Either they start wearing 'Real' helmets (DOT certified) (the cheapest proper helmet brand in the country) or not wear one at all.

The thing is, only motorcycle enthusiasts care to wear a proper helmet, whether they ride a hayabusa or click . Other people on motorcycles are just those who can't afford a car.

[canathai8]

Either they start wearing 'Real' helmets (DOT certified) (the cheapest proper helmet brand in the country) or not wear one at all.

The thing is, only motorcycle enthusiasts care to wear a proper helmet, whether they ride a hayabusa or click . Other people on motorcycles are just those who can't afford a car.

There was an American businessman a few years ago who tried to bring in good DOT helmets - he had a contract with Lotus - Tesco, Big C and a few others.

But he got threatened with a "you should take care of your family, and stop upsetting our rice-pot, " so he aborted the effort and went back home with his tail placed firmly between his legs. Good move that.

What most Thais wear for helmets are next to useless..

But again, T.I.T.

[tomyumchai]

ive tried to get to the reason why they blatantly refuse to wear helmets and it just seems to be down to 'why should i? up to me!' and basically, its 'up to them' and the more you tell them the more they will refuse.

[canathai8]

ive tried to get to the reason why they blatantly refuse to wear helmets and it just seems to be down to 'why should i? up to me!' and basically, its 'up to them' and the more you tell them the more they will refuse.

The farang copy the locals, even the old farts..

[impulse]

Interesting statistics!

Never saw that actual data before.

Thanks for sharing.

[sources please]

Here are a few places to start, with links to dozens more, and the actual studies.

In 2010, the 4,502 motorcyclists (operators and passengers) killed in motorcycle crashes made up 14% of all road traffic deaths, yet motorcycles accounted for <1% of all vehicle miles traveled

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6123a1.htm

The federal government estimates that per mile traveled in 2013, the number of deaths on motorcycles was over 26 times the number in cars.

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/motorcycles/fatalityfacts/motorcycles

Per vehicle mile travelled, motorcyclists' risk of a fatal crash is 35 times greater than a passenger car

http://www.dyingtoride.org/stats.htm

Australian rate of motorcyclist deaths is approximately 30 times the rate for car occupants. The corresponding rate for a serious injury is approximately 41 times higher. Similar elevated rates are also found in other developed countries.

http://www.carrsq.qut.edu.au/publications/corporate/motorcycle_safety_fs.pdf

Edited February 22, 2016 by impulse

[macknife]

Look here your thinking that when wearing A helmet there will be no more motorcycle deaths.I have been to different areas,not Thailand that with

Mandatory helmet laws there were more deaths.The reason is some people think you can't die when wearing A helmet.It's giving them A false sense

Of security.

I've been riding motorcycles since 1967.I don't wear A helmet if I don't have to.I don't ride in big cities either.

The problem with Thailand is The larger the vehicle the more right of way you have.Trucks and buses have all the right of way.Motorcycles,bicycles,perdestrians have little to none.

With all due respect, I hope you don't wear this helmet. I put about 5 pounds of pressure on it and it folded like a cheap tent.

You may as well wear a baseball hat, or an empty ice cream bucket.

Painting the roads red is merely fine artwork..

He doesn't wear any helmet and clearly doesn't know much about riding in Thailand.

[spidermike007]

One can only imagine what the actual statistic would be if they played fair, and counted the actual deaths caused by accidents, instead of behaving like children and changing the rules to save face. Not making much difference. Second instead of beating out Libya for first place.

There is not much we can do to change the way Thai people drive. I do give advice to my Thai wife, and she is very open and receptive to it, as I am older, and have been driving far longer. But, we can alter and modify the way we drive. When I am on my scooter, I drive quite slowly, as it takes me an extra minute or two, to get where I am going safely. It is well worth the time. Also, I will not leave home without a really good helmet. A Real, or a Shoei. Not a bean cap. But, something that provides my head a fighting chance, should it make contact with the roadway, or another car or bike. And when I am driving my car on the highway, I observe a whole set of rules, that keep us safe. Always buckle up, always keep a reasonable speed limit, never pass foolishly, always keep my eyes open for fools, and men without a sense of self, or common sense or reason. And I get out of the way for those fools. I just let them do their thing, and allow them to race toward their deaths.

[kannot]

Either they start wearing 'Real' helmets (DOT certified) (the cheapest proper helmet brand in the country) or not wear one at all.

The thing is, only motorcycle enthusiasts care to wear a proper helmet, whether they ride a hayabusa or click . Other people on motorcycles are just those who can't afford a car.

There was an American businessman a few years ago who tried to bring in good DOT helmets - he had a contract with Lotus - Tesco, Big C and a few others.

But he got threatened with a "you should take care of your family, and stop upsetting our rice-pot, " so he aborted the effort and went back home with his tail placed firmly between his legs. Good move that.

What most Thais wear for helmets are next to useless..

But again, T.I.T.

Thai helmets protect very little...............read into that what you will!!!

[Kwasaki]

Thai helmets protect very little...............read into that what you will!!!

Yep ! ! but better than nout.

[spidermike007]

Either they start wearing 'Real' helmets (DOT certified) (the cheapest proper helmet brand in the country) or not wear one at all.

The thing is, only motorcycle enthusiasts care to wear a proper helmet, whether they ride a hayabusa or click . Other people on motorcycles are just those who can't afford a car.

There was an American businessman a few years ago who tried to bring in good DOT helmets - he had a contract with Lotus - Tesco, Big C and a few others.

But he got threatened with a "you should take care of your family, and stop upsetting our rice-pot, " so he aborted the effort and went back home with his tail placed firmly between his legs. Good move that.

What most Thais wear for helmets are next to useless..

But again, T.I.T.

Thai helmets protect very little...............read into that what you will!!!

I agree with most Thai helmets. There is a brand called Real. They make pretty good helmets. They cost 2,000 baht and up. But, it is well worth the price. They do offer a decent amount of protection, and are well made. They are not a Shoei, or Arai, but they don't cost 12,000 baht either.

[steve187]

I was taught that 'all other road users are doing their best to kill you''

so i think of that whenever i drive be it my small auto bike, my car or my pick up, and i always do the thinking for the other driver, i see before he does that he will have to pull out in a minute, i think when going around a blind bend that someone could be coming around on my side, and position myself accordingly, close to the left for right handers, and on the apex for left handers, for the better view.

Road deaths are at silly high figures in Thailand, and skid lids would help to reduce the number, but its up to them, it does not affect me, they will never change, be they Thai of Falang.

its the traffic light jumping, ridiculous high speed undertaking by 4 wheeled vehicles that worries me, as that could afect me.

[BSJ]

Helmet won't stop you from being killed or maimed, so it'up to the individual if they want to wear one.

[Andre0720]

ive tried to get to the reason why they blatantly refuse to wear helmets and it just seems to be down to 'why should i? up to me!' and basically, its 'up to them' and the more you tell them the more they will refuse.

The farang copy the locals, even the old farts..

Quite right. but this farang drives responsibly. I know him.

I am just back from Cambodia, what a shock to see that all drivers drive responsibly.

Motorbike drivers drive 30 to 40 km per hour, rarely pass other drivers. Some cars pass others, but just accelerate a bit while doing so.

No crazy pick-up drivers, no crazy motorbike riders high on Ya Baa.

You do not hear the sound of ambulance sirens at all hours of the day. I never saw an accident on the road in 9 days.

All the packs of cigarettes do not have pictures of cancer and diseased people due to nicotine usage.

And fewer people smoke, a lot fewer.

And strangely, it appears that men can actually drive motorbikes there without smoking.

Seemed to me like all the teen guys have a father at home. Quite a difference from the land of fake smiles.

[taninthai]

Helmet won't stop you from being killed or maimed, so it'up to the individual if they want to wear one.

do me a favour ,is that a serious comment,most ridiculous comment I've seen on here in a while , DELETED

Edited February 23, 2016 by seedy
troll / flaming

[canathai8]

How about when Mommy wears a helmet, but no need for the children to wear one eh?

How about checking your cell phone while riding, no need to wear a helmet to do that.

Even the little girl knows she should have a HELMET on, if Mom is oblivious to it all, with a sly smile to boot..

I saw a one-armed fellow on a motorbike in Chai Nat, but was too late to take a picture, 'cause he buggered off too fast..

Best

[Kwasaki]

OK......OP.....Own up, your a motorcycle helmet salesperson or into health & safety from Europe or bored.