Today is D-Day as police get tough on seatbelts and sitting in the back of pick-ups

[smedly]

1 hour ago, NMKDom said:

So many complaints on this forum about driving standards in Thailand, but when the cops make a positive move, a first step to saving thousands of lives, they get slated on the same forum!

 

I have a question. What the hell do you want?

it is not about that at all, everyone posting on this forum wants to see the death toll on Thai roads reduced

 

The problem is how they go about it, this topic is about the wearing of seatbelts which I don't think anyone is complaining about and most would agree that wearing a seatbelt does save lives in the event of an accident - and there is the problem - an accident has to take place for it have an impact.

 

Also another issue is how they are implementing this, how they have studied the impact and the practical application of what they are trying to do and what it will achieve. Unfortunately as usual the thought behind it is poor and as for implementation - well that is near impossible for so many reasons.

 

Additionally have they actually performed any sort of study to find out the cause of most of the accidents on Thai roads ? it seems they haven't whether it is Songkran or not, and I will repeat - the wearing of a seatbelt (or helmet) does not prevent an accident.

 

but here is what primarily causes accidents in Thailand

 

Top Three

- drink driving (or drugs)

- speeding

- use of mobile devices (a serious one that is under stated)

- any combination of the above

 

- generally ignoring simple road traffic laws like direction, speed limits, traffic lights, road markings

 

 

Government and authorities planning and responsibility

- lack of enforcement which allows all of the above to take place

- poor road planning and infrastructure (e.g. introducing roundabouts to replace dangerous U-turns)

- poor training but is not as effective as most would think, there are three aspects to this, initially learning to drive a vehicle, knowing the rules (The highway code/law)  and ultimately having a police force that makes sure you comply with the rules

 

 

 

sure seatbelt laws will save lives but the flaw with this thinking is that it assumes an accident is going to need to take place for it to make a difference 

Edited April 5, 2017 by smedly

[dinsdale]

Ok. Fun over now. You stop throw water. You sit in pick up. You all put seatbelt on. You not do I take money.

 

Edited April 5, 2017 by dinsdale

[quadperfect]

Today i saw a lori with 100 people in its back bed. And a few pick ups as well. All in 30 minutes.

 I guess a lori is not a pick up.maybe thats the idea. 

[smedly]

24 minutes ago, kentrot said:

This is a lot of fuss about the road deaths in 4 wheel vehicles (13% ) when the more serious culprit and road killer is the motorcycle  ( 73% ) . And yet I still see motorbike riders in huge numbers with no helmets. Yesterday while I waited for my wife at the market in Jomtien, 3 out of 4 riders had no helmets. Why isn't THAT rule being enforced. SIX Times more deaths on motorcycles and yet we waffle over the issue of seat belts. Indeed all lives matter. All I am saying is lets start with the obvious.

 

For this review we will give you the most recent data as offered by the WHO (World Health Organization).

 

how many lives would actually be saved wearing a helmet another myth that is largely overstated and just like the seatbelt assumes that an accident is going to place, I will tell you that if you break down the 73% to those that would have been saved by wearing a helmet it will be below 10% of the 73%,

[amjamj]

This year less than 100 killed during Songkran week !

 

 

 

[Gold Star]

1 hour ago, Psimbo said:

Do you actually read articles before commenting? The article clearly states that Songkran is exempt.

 

Don't let that get in the way of your outrage though.

... I think he means having to travel back home on the roads after playing in the belt exempt splash zones.

[kannot]

14 minutes ago, smedly said:

it is not about that at all, everyone posting on this forum wants to see the death toll on Thai roads reduced

 

The problem is how they go about it, this topic is about the wearing of seatbelts which I don't think anyone is complaining about and most would agree that wearing a seatbelt does save lives in the event of an accident - and there is the problem - an accident has to take place for it have an impact.

 

Also another issue is how they are implementing this, how they have studied the impact and the practical application of what they are trying to do and what it will achieve. Unfortunately as usual the thought behind it is poor and as for implementation - well that is near impossible for so many reasons.

 

Additionally have they actually performed any sort of study to find out the cause of most of the accidents on Thai roads ? it seems they haven't whether it is Songkran or not, and I will repeat - the wearing of a seatbelt (or helmet) does not prevent an accident.

 

but here is what primarily causes accidents in Thailand

 

Top Three

- drink driving (or drugs)

- speeding

- use of mobile devices (a serious one that is under stated)

- any combination of the above

 

- generally ignoring simple road traffic laws like direction, speed limits, traffic lights, road markings

 

 

Government and authorities planning and responsibility

- lack of enforcement which allows all of the above to take place

- poor road planning and infrastructure (e.g. introducing roundabouts to replace dangerous U-turns)

- poor training but is not as effective as most would think, there are three aspects to this, initially learning to drive a vehicle, knowing the rules (The highway code/law)  and ultimately having a police force that makes sure you comply with the rules

 

 

 

sure seatbelt laws will save lives but the flaw with this thinking is that it assumes an accident is going to need to take place for it to make a difference 

Id  say your top 3  are  wrong its sheer  poor  driving skills in many cases, no understanding of "what comes  next" driving way too close is  probably the biggest cause.

[kannot]

9 minutes ago, smedly said:

how many lives would actually be saved wearing a helmet another myth that is largely overstated and just like the seatbelt assumes that an accident is going to place, I will tell you that if you break down the 73% to those that would have been saved by wearing a helmet it will be below 10% of the 73%,

Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths 2 and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries

 

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

[scorecard]

Anybody see any mention of how many passengers allowed to sit in the front seat in minivns etc where there is a small seat between the rivers seat and the main passengers seat?

 

My Thai extended family have several vehicles like this, typical for mum and dad to sit in the main seats and 1 or even 2 kids sitting between them and playing, climbing backwards and forwards to the next row of seats and all the time suddenly grabbing the arm of the driver for leverage, making the driver suddenly swerve the vehicle.

 

Already one accident with family members from this situation and severe damage and injuries in the car that the van hit.

 

 

Edited April 5, 2017 by scorecard

[tigermoth]

Let's see if it remains in force for more than a week. The rule on safety helmets for motorcyclists certainly didn't and is only enforced spasmodically.

[elliss]

4 hours ago, tominbkk said:

Just another roadblock fine generating scheme.

 

   Yep ,  farlangs  in  back of  open pickup , { going native in LOS ] 

      have  money  ready,  for take   care  of police , 555

[kannot]

Just now, scorecard said:

Anybody see any mention of how many passengers allowed to sit in the front seat in minivns etc where there is a small seat between the rivers seat and the main passengers seat?

 

My Thai extended family have several vehicles like this, typical for mum and dad to sit in the main seats and 1 or even 2 kids sitting between them and playing, climbing backwards and forwards to the next row of eeats and all the time suddenly grabbing the arm of the driver for leverage, making the driver suddenly swerve the vehicle.

 

Already one accident with family members from this and severe damage and injuries in the car that the van hit.

 

 

and they still carry on doing it?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, billy54 said:

I don't want to discuss the rights or wrongs of this , opinions' we all have them , but is this the thin end of the nanny state wedge , 

Your opinion is your right or course...

my "two penny worth" is last year at Songkran I witnessed a high speed accident with a pick-up.. watching the people sitting in the back thrown out onto the road & on-coming traffic like rag dolls was not something I want to see again...

most were under the age of 20...

6 dead at the scene, 2 later in hospital & 2 remained seriously injured for a long time..

but hey.. if it's a non nanny state you want and can live with the consequences of "having a little fun" crack-on..

Just my opinion....

[Toscano]

Firstly , the police are only out on the road on rare occasions .  If the police were on patrol day and night a lot more safety measures could be taken ; motorcyles with no rear light or no lights at all , farm vehicles with no lights after dark , drunken drivers , overloaded vehicles , the list is endless .  I fully agree with seat belts front and back of a car , I would like to see baby and child seats on straps at the back seat of the car .  When I go to the city in the early morning I see pickups with the back loaded with men going to work .  I suspect these new rules will be enforced occasionally , but not on a regular basis .

[J Smith]

4 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Its a start in the right direction, but before you go on suggesting that they hit farmers and labourers and the hike hard, mate, have you ever lived in the bush, these people are doing it hard enough and your suggestion to hit them even harder goes to show your lack of empathy.

 

Education is the key, as the report said, initially 100 baht fine so as to get the message out there, these people have limited incomes I see their struggle daily, they will conform, everything takes time, but for your information, most don't own cars where I come from, hence the reason most are in the back of pick up trucks, as for the labourers, well hit the source between the eyes, i.e. the driver because he is getting paid for the shuttle isn't he, the labourer just wants to make a quid and the only way he is going to make that is to be at the pick up point.

 

I applaud the Thai government for finally taking the stance and trying to bring their people in line with most of the rest of the world, just hope their force keeps it going, because I know one thing, after Songkran they will want to take a break because they will have been very very busy, I hope spreading the word and saving lives.

You need to read what I said again mate.

[SidJames]

I understand the fine is imposed on the passenger & not the driver or owner of the vehicle but children under the age of 12 are not considered old enough to be able to held responsible so can not be fined.

 

[peterpaintpot]

49 minutes ago, kentrot said:

This is a lot of fuss about the road deaths in 4 wheel vehicles (13% ) when the more serious culprit and road killer is the motorcycle  ( 73% ) . And yet I still see motorbike riders in huge numbers with no helmets. Yesterday while I waited for my wife at the market in Jomtien, 3 out of 4 riders had no helmets. Why isn't THAT rule being enforced. SIX Times more deaths on motorcycles and yet we waffle over the issue of seat belts. Indeed all lives matter. All I am saying is lets start with the obvious.

 

For this review we will give you the most recent data as offered by the WHO (World Health Organization).

 

It seems that readers do not fully understand the percentages: it gives results by road user category, hence Heavy Truck users have a very low percentage and motorcyclists a horrendously high percentage. But deaths caused by Heavy Truck accidents will be much higher than other types of vehicles.

 

Of course it would have helped if the Government had studied the full implications of their hasty actions. In other countries laws would have been first introduced to cover the fitting of restraints where necessary eg extended cab pick ups with a rear "bench seat" and then later to introduce their seat belt law.

[Happyman58]

30 minutes ago, amjamj said:

This year less than 100 killed during Songkran week !

 

 

 

Nah i go for 600 

[malibukid]

i am all for the Nanny State and laws that protect stupid people, it is our moral obligation to help those who do not possess common sense. seat belts save lives, motorcycle helmets save lives.  laws against drunk drivers save lives. vehicle safety inspections save lives. 

[Kwasaki]

https://www.google.com/patents/US20140159409

 

I wonder if you have one these and registered at the DLT as an alteration to the rear of the pick up with seats and seat belts what could they do.

[Gulfsailor]

1 hour ago, irlguy1 said:

Still nobody has answered about the back seat of a smart cab?

Why the hell is their a seat if nobody can use it?

Surely that's a lawsuit against car sellers in Thailand. I bought a smart cab it has a seat in the back that we use all the time. It has no seat belts so what??? We cant now use it? That makes no sense.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Since 2014 it is a law wear and to have seat belts fitted for all seats in cars, busses, vans, etc. if your extra cab is manufactured after this date and not fitted with seat belts in the back, then you certainly should demand free seat belt installation by the manufacturer. 

 

Ps. I can't understand people not wearing seat belts. When I'm driving, everyone wears a belt, or we're not moving. Specifically the person sitting behind me has to wear the belt. I don't want a mass of 70kg or more thrown at me from the back. Even at a low speed crash of say 50 km/hr, that body behind you will come at you at a speed similar to falling of a 10 meter building!

 

[stog]

Just been to my local town in Issan, the Police have not yet received the message. They were escorting three pick ups full of young monks around town while three of them also sat in the back of their own truck.

 

Also numerous trucks were flying around on the rural roads and highways with people in the back.

 

Enforcement may happen nearer Songkran kick off but only to top up the local boys drinking funds!

Just not going to happen in the boonies.

[Gulfsailor]

10 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

https://www.google.com/patents/US20140159409

 

I wonder if you have one these and registered at the DLT as an alteration to the rear of the pick up with seats and seat belts what could they do.

Alterations like a carry boy in the picture are only legal when registered at DLT. That  means the car type will be changed from pickup (in case of single or extra cab) to passenger car and you'll get a different color license plate. You'll also have to pay the extra tax. The cost will not be worth it. For a double cab you can register the carry boy easier. In either case you cannot install seats in it. 

Edited April 5, 2017 by Gulfsailor

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Withaya Prayongphan at national police HQ said that from today people would not be allowed to travel in the back of pick-ups.

Today is THE day get out your horns and funny hats and celebrate. Tomorrow you can pack them away again. 

[elgordo38]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The only exception will be made at Songkran where people will be allowed to be in the back in designated areas where water splashing is allowed.

Well this defeats the purpose right off the bat. This new law should be a real income generator for the BIB especially among the poor. 

[smedly]

36 minutes ago, kannot said:

Because serious head injury is common among fatally injured motorcyclists, helmet use is important. Helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths 2 and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries

 

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

It actually depends on lots of other factors, helmets are tested to 30kmh impact (basically hitting the ground from seat level) - any speed above that hitting a solid object (like a concrete post or tree) will kill you helmet or not, other factors "in Thailand" that impact on helmets or seatbelts saving lives are the types of accidents that take place and the general adherence to traffic laws and speed limits, yes those figures represent helmet effectiveness in doing what they are designed to do which like I said is highly overrated and misunderstood

[onemorechang]

This will be available at all shops soon in Thailand

420 baht,   seats 15 people,   and one rice cooker. 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2017 by onemorechang

[elgordo38]

3 hours ago, Deli said:

And what about entire families of 5 and more on a scooter ?

You cannot get blood from a stone

[trainman34014]

Laughable...popped out for a few bits of shopping this morning, arrived at first set of lights and pick-up at the front of the queue with about eight builder boys in the back. Right behind them was a Police pick-up and when the lights turned green the Police truck just overtook the builders truck and carried on as normal.  Bit further up the road a Policeman on Motorbike cruised up past me and the builders truck and went on his way.

 

Somehow i doubt the Police in outlying districts even know about this 'new rule' and even if they did they are not going to enforce it on the local people they have to live among, drink with, gamble with and all the other aspects of rural life.  After all; they already turn blind eyes to all forms of law breaking locally on a daily basis.

[Krataiboy]

Meanwhile, twerps on two wheels - the victims of the vast majority of road fatalities - will continue to ride underaged,  unlicenced, uninsured, helmetless, three or four to a bike, at warp speeds while carrying anything from babies sheets of plate glass while gabbling gaily into their mobiles.

 

One wonders at times like this is if there is actually a world in Thai meaning "priorities".