Thai Public Health Min urges motorcyclists to wear helmets

[webfact]

Min of Public Health urges motorcyclists to wear helmets



BANGKOK, 15 March 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health will enforce stricter traffic regulations throughout the year in an attempt to curb road fatalities.

The Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies will launch a campaign to urge motorcycle drivers to wear the helmets. Violators will be sentenced to community service at at a hospital. Instead of paying fines, they will be asked to care for patients with brain damage.

Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn is hoping they will realize the importance of safety regulations. Dr. Piyasakol revealed that each year, 24,000 people die from road accidents in Thailand. 70% of road fatalities were motorcycle drivers who did not wear helmets.

Many of those who survived became permanently disabled. This year, at least 140,000 people were injured and more than 2,200 were killed in road accidents from January 1 to March 11.

According to last Saturday’s statistics, nearly 30% of injuries and deaths nationwide were caused by motorcycle accidents. Nearly all of those treated for brain damage were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.


-- NNT 2016-03-15

[graemeaylward]

If they enforce this by Community Service in hospitals, there will be no room for patients!

[terryp]

strapping a piece of 199 baht plastic onto your head is not as safe as these people think or are trying to fool the people with ....they need to be up to at least EU standards ...but then the price will stop many, life is very cheap here and this is not going to change anytime soon

[worgeordie]

"Urges", says it all,what about strictly enforcing the laws,if you have an

accident with those cheap helmets, the only job it will do is contain your

brain matter,safety in anything and Thailand don't go together.

Just as important is having a working rear light,which many do not,they

put their lives and others at risk for the cost of a 25 THB bulb .Amazing Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[Just1Voice]

Had a Thai doctor tell me once that he hates those cheap plastic things they call "helmets". Said he's seen more that one victim who had one on, had a accident, and pieces of the plastic were driven into their heads.

[trogers]

I am selling disposable foam helmets. Good for containing mushy brain matters should the thick skulls crack open...

[ginjag]

strapping a piece of 199 baht plastic onto your head is not as safe as these people think or are trying to fool the people with ....they need to be up to at least EU standards ...but then the price will stop many, life is very cheap here and this is not going to change anytime soon

But paying 300 baht to the police at a road check every time you ride ??? we no hab money for helmet ??? pathetic.

50,000 Honda click---tax insurance..........no have money for hat

[ratcatcher]

The Ministry of Public Health will enforce stricter traffic regulations throughout the year in an attempt to curb road fatalities.

Isn't there anything the Royal Thai Police can do?

The Health Ministry doing traffic enforcement . The Royal Thai Army raiding illegal gambling dens & counterfeit markets. The Royal Thai Navy checking bars in Pattaya area.

Perhaps they can order it to rain?

[alant]

I see an anti police move here, no more cash from fines. And if the cops are not to get cash for this will they be stopping anyone?

[alant]

I assume this only applies to Thai riders. I would not have the required work permit.

[connda]

[ratcatcher]

I assume this only applies to Thai riders. I would not have the required work permit.

" I would not have the required work permit. "

To do what?

[Pimay1]

I've urged my gf to chew with her mouth closed about one million times. I think the results will be the same.

[dcnx]

Yet, packing 50+ standing migrant workers into the back of a speeding dump truck is perfectly safe.

[JAG]

strapping a piece of 199 baht plastic onto your head is not as safe as these people think or are trying to fool the people with ....they need to be up to at least EU standards ...but then the price will stop many, life is very cheap here and this is not going to change anytime soon

But is not a THB 199 helmet better than no helmet?

[Jonmarleesco]

'...The Ministry of Public Health will enforce stricter traffic regulations ... ... relevant agencies will launch a campaign to urge motorcycle drivers to wear the helmets. Violators ... instead of paying fines ... will be asked to care for patients with brain damage.' Apart from the MPH having no authority to enforce the law (notwithstanding the RTP's disinterest in doing so), their determination moves from enforce, through urge, to ask. Given that is the Thai way, it's little wonder that the law doesn't work.

Perhaps the RTP could start with banning the carrying of babies and toddlers on two-seat contraptions, and rigidly enforce it. At least they'll start saving some lives.

[stickylies]

strapping a piece of 199 baht plastic onto your head is not as safe as these people think or are trying to fool the people with ....they need to be up to at least EU standards ...but then the price will stop many, life is very cheap here and this is not going to change anytime soon

True. I got fined 200thb for wearing 100eur bicycle helmet on my wave 125. I told the cop the light helmet is 10x more safe and sophisticated then most Thai helmets... He said: For bike not rot kruang. Farang no understand... ?

[DrTuner]

Thai urge is a synonym for constipation. Nothing comes out.

[jchfriis]

Quote: The Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies will launch a campaign to urge motorcycle drivers to wear the helmets. Violators will be sentenced to community service at at a hospital. Instead of paying fines, they will be asked to care for patients with brain damage. End quote.

I just hope they can/will do this. It can really work. After my bf saw a good friend become a vegetable because he did not wear a helmet, I didn't have to confiscate the motorcycle keys anymore. He realized it is a very good idea to wear a proper helmet at all times.

[sugarcane24]

Quote: The Ministry of Public Health and relevant agencies will launch a campaign to urge motorcycle drivers to wear the helmets. Violators will be sentenced to community service at at a hospital. Instead of paying fines, they will be asked to care for patients with brain damage. End quote.

I just hope they can/will do this. It can really work. After my bf saw a good friend become a vegetable because he did not wear a helmet, I didn't have to confiscate the motorcycle keys anymore. He realized it is a very good idea to wear a proper helmet at all times.

The lady friend of a friend was riding her motorcycle with her nine-year-old daughter on the back. Her right handlebar touched a car in the dense traffic and they crashed, Her daughter, who wore a helmet, was fine, but her mother, who also wore a helmet but hadn't done up the strap so that she and her helmet parted company while they sailed trough the air, causing her to crack her skull on the concrete kerb, leaving her a vegetable.

[robblok]

strapping a piece of 199 baht plastic onto your head is not as safe as these people think or are trying to fool the people with ....they need to be up to at least EU standards ...but then the price will stop many, life is very cheap here and this is not going to change anytime soon

But is not a THB 199 helmet better than no helmet?

Not so sure about it.. might be marginally better. I don't wear a helmet for the cops, I wear one for myself.

I have expensive helmets Shoei, for on the big bike and a cheaper but still good real (brandname) fullface helmet for on the scooter. The cheaper helmet is easier to leave on the bike.