478 deaths and 4,128 injuries in seven days

[webfact]

478 deaths and 4,128 injuries in seven days

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Death toll for the seven days’ period of “No drunk driving” campaign between December 29 and January 4 was recorded at 478 compared to the previous year’s record of 380. A total of 4,128 people were also injured in road accidents during the period.

 

The Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents said on Thursday that the death toll this year broke all the records of the last ten years since 2007.

 

Death toll records from road accidents for the last ten years are as follows: 449 deaths in 2007, 401 in 2008, 357 in 2009, 347 in 2010, 358 in 2011, 321 in 2012, 365 in 2013, 366 in 2014, 341 in 2015, 380 in 2016 and 478 in 2017.

 

Chon Buri tops the list with the highest death toll at 33, including 25 who died in a deadly collision between a packed passenger van and a pickup- truck in Ban Bung district.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/478-deaths-4128-injuries-seven-days/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-01-05

[Psimbo]

One wonders in the midst of the TV wailing and beating of chests what the casualty figures are for a 'normal' week in Thailand.  

 

Seven Days of Danger notwithstanding,  I would suggest that they are likely to be fairly similar- 'spectacular's' like the 25 deaths in one incident notwithstanding ( I refuse to use the word accident as it is a misnomer.)

 

This is an issue that needs to be addressed on a daily basis NOT just (failed) publicity stunts twice a year.

[Upnotover]

WHO reported 24,237 in 2013, so the 7 dangerous days are possibly less so than the rest of the year, but figures likely skewed by differing reporting methods.

[zaphod reborn]

1 hour ago, Psimbo said:

( I refuse to use the word accident as it is a misnomer.)

 

 

I also avoid using the word "accident".  The accepted term in the industry is "vehicular collision".

[Thailand]

 

[tartempion]

More cars and more motorbikes on the road results in more deaths.

By 2080 cars will be self driving at last, but motorbikes?

[Jeremy50]

The year gets off to a crashing start, I am sure that with a little effort, Thailand can knock Iran, or wherever off the top spot for road deaths, instead of having to be number two.

[Travel2003]

Interestingly enough, this is actually an issue in many so called western countries as well.

A quick search shows that for example UK between 2011 and 2015,  219,008 drivers got caught drunk driving.

That is a big number!

 

This is no excuse for Thailand of course, which struggles with a more Maipen rai attitude to traffic issues in general.

 

[Dibbler]

Road statistics particularly grim this year.  Looks like the junta has failed in spectacular form in dealing with what should be an easy road safety campaign backed up by real enforcement to reduce road casualties.  Part of the problem is that Thailand does not have a real traffic police division.  The traffic division is in fact only regular metropolitan police assigned to duties that they are not adequately trained to deal with.  The other problem is that the police force is essentially just another government agency that is assigned a budget but is not expected to meet desired targets or produce results. Thai police still operated as a fiefdom like all other government departments.

[Nigeone]

In any other country these figures would bring disdain and condemnation on the authorities for a blatant failure in the efforts to bring down the death toll. Here we have the General thanking the various enforcers for a job not done.. a complete failure in reducing death and injury and in fact it's gone the other way big time. They will never learn or deal with what actually is a very easy problem to sort out. Do your job RTP and enforce the laws all year round and the numbers will plummet . It's not going to happen in my life time though !  

[roo860]

http://pattayaone.news/en/chonburi-crash-victims-identified-many-children/

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app

[Patmalone]

How many of those injured or died thought it wouldn't happen to them or they had the monks bless the car or bike and hung dangly things from the rear vision mirror.  Maybe some of those people that were injured could talk at their local schools about how it did happen to them and Buddha didn't save them from their own stupidity.  Another idea would be to send a few police over to a proper western country and show them how traffic policing is done right.   If wishes were horses beggars would ride.  I just found the Thai word for common sense ( Kār chı̂ khwām khid beụ̄̂xngt̂n ) it is so long they just don't use it.

[webfact]

Intoxicated Drivers the Major Cause of New Years Accidents in Thailand

 

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Interior Suthee Marboon has disclosed accident numbers during 2017 New Year holidays that the most common cause of accident is drunk driving and overspeeding.

 

More than 59,000 people were arrested for drink-driving and driving while unfit and more than 4,200 vehicles were seized.

 

A total of 478 people were killed and 4,128 injured in road accidents during the “seven dangerous days” from Dec 29 to Jan 4, making the 2017 New Year death toll the highest in 10 years.

 

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/intoxicated-drivers-the-major-cause-of-new-years-accidents-in-thailand.html

 

-- © Copyright Chiang Rai Times 2017-01-06

[Prairieboy]

Unless and until traffic laws are enforced 24 hours a day 365 days a year the fatalities will not decline.  

• confiscated motor vehicles should be retained until the driver is reeducated and a substantial fine is paid.  
• Persons riding in the cargo area of pick-up trucks should be made to get out and take public transportation to their destination and the driver fined a substantial amount.  
• The operators of overloaded mini buses (vans) should have their licences revoked and the van confiscated.  
• Operators of overloaded cargo haulers (and pick ups) must face serious penalties.
• Motorcycles carrying more than 1 passenger , or with an underage operator, or without helmets (operator and passenger) should be confiscated and fines imposed..
• Penalties must be substantial, (a 100 or 200 baht fine is not a deterrent - it is a joke).  Minimum fines for a first offence should be 1000 baht, 2nd - 5,000 baht, 3rd offence 10,000 baht and revoke license!

The authorities have to get serious in order to 'stop the slaughter'!

 

 

[whatawonderfulday]

14 minutes ago, Prairieboy said:

Unless and until traffic laws are enforced 24 hours a day 365 days a year the fatalities will not decline.  

• confiscated motor vehicles should be retained until the driver is reeducated and a substantial fine is paid.  
• Persons riding in the cargo area of pick-up trucks should be made to get out and take public transportation to their destination and the driver fined a substantial amount.  
• The operators of overloaded mini buses (vans) should have their licences revoked and the van confiscated.  
• Operators of overloaded cargo haulers (and pick ups) must face serious penalties.
• Motorcycles carrying more than 1 passenger , or with an underage operator, or without helmets (operator and passenger) should be confiscated and fines imposed..
• Penalties must be substantial, (a 100 or 200 baht fine is not a deterrent - it is a joke).  Minimum fines for a first offence should be 1000 baht, 2nd - 5,000 baht, 3rd offence 10,000 baht and revoke license!

The authorities have to get serious in order to 'stop the slaughter'!

 

 

This may be a bit draconian for Thailand although in more socially developed countries quite enforceable and a potentially useful deterrent.  However  this would be quite an intrusion on Thai peoples right to do what they want to do ,  when they want to do it and under the influence of something or other that may not meet with universal approval.

 

Of course killing innocent people when driving when drunk is also an intrusion on peoples rights,  those of the innocent parties maimed or killed by accident that is.

 

So rather then adopt such draconian measures,  which will never be enforced in Thailand do to the hierarchal system and endemic corruption of the law enforcement agencies I have another proposal.  Rather than put at risk innocent people then certain highways should be designated solely for drunken,  under age or those without licenses only.   A bit like toll booths on the expressway you have to check through them.   That way the innocent and law abiding drivers would be safe in the knowledge that the roads they are on are somewhat safer.  Whilst on the other hand those irresponsible drunks, under age persons etc are corralled into a single highway where they can drive like lunatics smashing into one another at leisure.  Perhaps instead of roadside rest stops they could build roadside morgues,  possibly a first for any country.

 

Maybe TAT could give some thought to this proposal as it could be quite a hit, literally,  only bettered perhaps by the antics of the Norwegion Lemming.

[ramrod711]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

The Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents said on Thursday that the death toll this year broke all the records of the last ten years since 2007.

 

Statistics suggest that the Centre for the Prevention and Reduction of Road Accidents has been a total failure and a complete waste of money. The money would have been better spent by installing giant rubber bumpers on automobiles. Probably wouldn't  have cut traffic deaths but at least the work could be quantified.

[khunano]

17 hours ago, Upnotover said:

WHO reported 24,237 in 2013, so the 7 dangerous days are possibly less so than the rest of the year, but figures likely skewed by differing reporting methods.

Killed in "Seven Dangerous Days": 478 x 52 = 24'856, so just another normal week of mayhem in Thailand!

[leither69]

I don't know why people even discuss this,  same story, same posts every year, do you think what we say makes a difference?? 

[Stargeezr]

2017,  is having high numbers of deaths  so far,  this is not a good start.

  When I left Canada, I seen that drinking and driving charges were spiking in Alberta.

  The economy there is in the tank, so some people are unemployed but still depressed

and driving around, so I guess they feel  ,  why not drink  or get high  on drugs, as there

is no work anyway.  Who knows  why  people still get on the roads and kill themselves and others.

It seems in Thailand, the reasons, and excuses are about the same.  Having 25 people die in one accident involving 2 vehicles                                                                                            is hard to take, so many lives lost because of carelessness is always senseless. Not much can be done

if peoples attitudes don't change.     It does not matter much if the stats are not 100 percent accurate.  a lot of people

have died again this year.  It is a terrible shame really.

Geezer

 

[puukao]

we are not affected by others dying.....unless it "hits home"....which none of these do.

 

can anyone name one person killed near Jan 1st during the last 30-years?  no.

 

now get me a beer, i have a long drive ahead of me with my bar girl who can't stop smoking

[thaiguzzi]

Insane amount of traffic in and around my local market town compared to previous years...

[Happyman58]

Yep saw a guy hop on his bike yesterday so drunk he could hardly walk But he did drive that bike Gets better a guy was speeding in a built up area flashed his lights at a policeman to get out of the way and he did Nice policeman dont you think getting out of the way of a guy speeding The police did as he was asked? 478 dead by Sunday 600 dead

[CGW]

Dubious reporting at best! note these statistics only started in 2007, if I remember correctly Thaksin changed the way the statistics were reported in that year? telling provincial heads they would be fired if numbers didn't come down, previous to 2007, truer numbers were reported which were far higher?

[toofarnorth]

28 minutes ago, Happyman58 said:

Yep saw a guy hop on his bike yesterday so drunk he could hardly walk But he did drive that bike Gets better a guy was speeding in a built up area flashed his lights at a policeman to get out of the way and he did Nice policeman dont you think getting out of the way of a guy speeding The police did as he was asked? 478 dead by Sunday 600 dead

I think it was NY eve 4 years ago , we were invited over the road for some confiscated J. Walker  Black Label , the chap who offered it to us is a higher up plod than the average plod.  His brother had been drinking before we arrived and he had been drinking since 8 pm we were told . So pissed as a fart he had to be helped in his car by the BiB at 12.30.    He took  two goes to get out the gate which is 5 metres wide.

[FredNL]

[TheFishman1]

TIT

[MorristheRunt]

Until the authorities do the jobs they are paid to do, this disgusting, inhumane slaughter will continue.

 

From top to bottom, the Thai authorities should hang there heads in shame.

 

Life is cheap in Thailand, always has been, always will be.

 

Shame on you

Edited January 6, 2017 by MorristheRunt

[exalll]

19 hours ago, Travel2003 said:

Interestingly enough, this is actually an issue in many so called western countries as well.

A quick search shows that for example UK between 2011 and 2015,  219,008 drivers got caught drunk driving.

That is a big number!

 

This is no excuse for Thailand of course, which struggles with a more Maipen rai attitude to traffic issues in general.

 

 

So, in the U.K., 219,000 over a 4 year period, compared with 59,000 over 7 days in Thailand.  About 50 times higher.  That's a big number!

 

And I bet the level of effort of the police in the U.K. to apprehend drunk drivers is also many times higher than the level of effort in Thailand. 

 

[elgordo38]

22 hours ago, Psimbo said:

One wonders in the midst of the TV wailing and beating of chests what the casualty figures are for a 'normal' week in Thailand.  

 

Seven Days of Danger notwithstanding,  I would suggest that they are likely to be fairly similar- 'spectacular's' like the 25 deaths in one incident notwithstanding ( I refuse to use the word accident as it is a misnomer.)

 

This is an issue that needs to be addressed on a daily basis NOT just (failed) publicity stunts twice a year.

Yes your right. Maybe put up billboards with 478 pictures on them and also replace the Generals Friday night fireside chats with a slide show of the photo's of those who lost their lives. Maybe cue in some somber music. 

[Surasak]

20 hours ago, Travel2003 said:

Interestingly enough, this is actually an issue in many so called western countries as well.

A quick search shows that for example UK between 2011 and 2015,  219,008 drivers got caught drunk driving.

That is a big number!

 

This is no excuse for Thailand of course, which struggles with a more Maipen rai attitude to traffic issues in general.

 

Your number may be correct, but how many of those caught over the limit killed someone?