Tougher enforcement and safety measures 'cut road fatalities'

[webfact]

Tougher enforcement and safety measures 'cut road fatalities'
By The Nation

 

 

Songkran toll ends at 390, well down from 2016 despite more accidents

 

BANGKOK: -- ROAD ACCIDENTS during the Songkran holidays rose in number this year but proved less deadly due to safety precautions. 

 

The death toll from road accidents during the so-called seven dangerous days of 2017 Songkran stood at 390 – down from 442 during the same period a year earlier. 

 

The decline occurred despite 3,690 road accidents between April 11 and April 17 this year – up by 7 per cent from the 2016 Songkran holidays. 

 

Grisada Boonrach, deputy chairman of the Road Safety Directing Centre, attributed the lower death toll to stricter enforcement of traffic laws and safety measures. Ahead of the Songkran Festival, authorities warned travellers against sitting in the beds of pickups and passengers in rear seats were told to wear seat belts. 

 

“Such safety precautions lowered the number of deaths,” Grisada said. 

 

 

However, he said he was disappointed that the number of road accidents went up as did the number of injured people. As many as 3,808 people were injured in road accidents this year. The figure marked a 4-per-cent hike from 2016.

 

Drink driving was again the biggest cause of accidents, accounting for 43 per cent of all road accidents. 

 

Other common causes were speeding and abrupt overtaking, accounting for 28 per cent and nearly 15 per cent of road accidents respectively. 

 

In a separate interview, Dr Thanapong Jinvong of the Road Safety Policy Foundation agreed that the percentage of deaths in road accidents had been significantly reduced during the 2017 |holidays because of stricter law enforcement and heightened |safety precautions. 

 

He called on authorities to strictly enforce traffic laws beyond the Songkran period to reduce the road death toll in the country. 

Thanapong also urged other organisations and the public to help promote road safety. 

 

Year-long moves planned 

 

“State organisations, for example, may deny services to people if they come in on motorcycles without a helmet on,” he said. 

 

Thanapong said the Excise Department should be cautious about granting permits for organisers of entertainment events where alcoholic drinks are served, because alcohol consumption was a major cause of road accidents. 

 

He said if police recorded the cause of deaths from road accidents throughout the year, and not just during long holidays, it would become clearer how drink driving and the failure to comply with basic laws such as wearing seat belts claimed so many lives. 

 

Thanapong said he expected the public to step up social pressure on traffic-law offenders so that road safety in the country could improve. 

 

Grisada said the government planned to campaign against drunk driving and promote safety precautions throughout the year, in collaboration with various |agencies. 

 

 Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed relevant authorities to take legal action against women who performed erotic dances and bared their breasts during the Songkran celebrations. 

 

“How can they have no shame and no fear? Our society can’t go on with this,” he said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30312630

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-19

[PatOngo]

 Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha instructed relevant authorities to take legal action against women who performed erotic dances and bared their breasts during the Songkran celebrations. 

“How can they have no shame and no fear? Our society can’t go on with this,” he said. 

 

They truly amuse me, the bench mark for no shame is set by corrupt money grubbing officials who plunder the nations wealth and by those in a position to do something about it but are just as guilty. Oh well, let's all believe that the greatest threat to the country are the uneducated poor, exotic dancers and the flash of a tit!

[edwinchester]

There was an increased number of accidents so more likely the drop in deaths was down to luck and little else.

[yellowboat]

If one life was saved, it was a triumph.  But Thailand still has a very long way to go. 

[BigBadGeordie]

49 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

There was an increased number of accidents so more likely the drop in deaths was down to luck and little else.

Or maybe it is down to amulets, yes thats it amulets!

[Destiny1990]

I see more harm in drunk driving than in sexi dancing but than again what do i know.

[franklnooner]

Imagin that tougher enforcment may lead to fewer deaths. What took so long you idiots. Now continue it the next 358 days we might actually get some where.Not??

[Thailand]

Somewhat a hollow claim with more accidents than in previous years, and the death toll from those dying from their injuries has yet to be factored in. 

Glad the actual deaths are down but the ptb actual failed again no matter how they try to spin it.

[upena]

Number of road deaths cut to 390 - more than in 2015 and just a little less than last year. Pat yourselves on the back for this wonderful achievement

[graemeaylward]

It would appear that 52.54% of casualties were aged between 25 and 50 or under 15years. A substantial number, but yet again the figures revealed are "cherry picked".

Sent from my Lenovo A3000-H using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[DrTuner]

Songkran is still full on in Pattaya today and I suppose in Najomthien/Sattahip tomorrow. Don't count your chickens yet.

[jaltsc]

"Songkran toll ends at 390, well down from 2016 despite more accidents"

 

Another indictment against the math skills developed in the Thai education system.

[darksidedog]

This is only the number dead at the scene though, not those who died later in hospital.

I would very much like to get the full statistics to tell us the real number.

[Destiny1990]

Good statistics are essential in solving the accident high numbers

[Davidoffal]

Not really a figure to be proud of

[digger70]

When are they going to enforce stricter traffic and road rules? Who is going to do this? the Police? The Army? For what has been going on with all the crap anyone is talking,one day we do, next day it's watered down ,in a few more days they may think about it. So in the end NOTHING is getting done ,only lip service and that does ,Sweet Bugger all . Just thinking (:

[hotchilli]

Perhaps next year anyone found to be drink driving will be automatically sent to the nearest army camp for 6 months.

They will be used for street clean-up duties.

Maybe they will learn a lesson or two during that period & after 6 months Thailand will look like a new pin!!!!

 

[dominique355]

 

 

 

[starky]

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

This is only the number dead at the scene though, not those who died later in hospital.

I would very much like to get the full statistics to tell us the real number.

Yes but has not this fact been the same for years? So it possibly is down 12% because the number of those who didnt die at the scene werent counted in other years either thats not how they collate the figures. You will never get the full stats you can only run with that you are provided and if they havent fudged those figures then deaths are down this year. Not one positive comment in this thread win, lose or draw the Thais are always in the wrong

[Pib]

The top cause of casualties (48.69%) was "not wearing helmets" which means the casualty occurred on a motorcycle.  Number 2 and 3 cause of casualties was drunk driving and speeding....and you can be sure the majority was motorcycle related.

 

While accidents related to cars, trucks, vans, buses, etc., the great bulk of attention by the media, the media don't talk about the bulk of accidents.   That bulk of the accidents are motorcycle related usually out in the provinces off the main highways which are clogged with cars, trucks, vans, buses, etc.   

 

After living in Bangkok for almost 9 years, driving the roads in Bangkok and nearby provinces, the great, great bulk (well over 90%) are relatively low speed rear-enders caused by tailgating/following too close and everyone is out of  the vehicles taking pictures, exchanging info, and unhurt.   Pissed and upset but unhurt.  But when visiting the mother-in-laws' house out in the province I routinely see or hear about motorcycle accidents, stories of so-in-so killed on their motorcyle, seriously injured on their motorcycle, etc....and many times the story continues that the rider was drunk, going really fast, cutting across the road and getting run over by a car/truck, and was rarely wearing a helmet.

 

Until the govt gets serious about cracking down on motorcycle traffic violations such as not wearing helmets, no licenses (many of which are too young for a license), stupid driving, driving drunk on motorcycles, etc., there will be no large and consistent reduction in accidents or deaths.

[kannot]

37 minutes ago, starky said:

Yes but has not this fact been the same for years? So it possibly is down 12% because the number of those who didnt die at the scene werent counted in other years either thats not how they collate the figures. You will never get the full stats you can only run with that you are provided and if they havent fudged those figures then deaths are down this year. Not one positive comment in this thread win, lose or draw the Thais are always in the wrong

Thats  right in the pc west w e would  be praising them to the hilt, just  like the school reports where they can only say praise...no one dare say these days  little  Timmy is as  thick as shi-te

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

He called on authorities to strictly enforce traffic laws beyond the Songkran period to reduce the road death toll in the country. 

Echo echo echo echo. 

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Songkran is still full on in Pattaya today and I suppose in Najomthien/Sattahip tomorrow. Don't count your chickens yet.

Your to late they ate them already. Listen for the burp

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, Pib said:

The top cause of casualties (48.69%) was "not wearing helmets" which means the casualty occurred on a motorcycle.  Number 2 and 3 cause of casualties was drunk driving and speeding....and you can be sure the majority was motorcycle related.

 

While accidents related to cars, trucks, vans, buses, etc., the great bulk of attention by the media, the media don't talk about the bulk of accidents.   That bulk of the accidents are motorcycle related usually out in the provinces off the main highways which are clogged with cars, trucks, vans, buses, etc.   

 

After living in Bangkok for almost 9 years, driving the roads in Bangkok and nearby provinces, the great, great bulk (well over 90%) are relatively low speed rear-enders caused by tailgating/following too close and everyone is out of  the vehicles taking pictures, exchanging info, and unhurt.   Pissed and upset but unhurt.  But when visiting the mother-in-laws' house out in the province I routinely see or hear about motorcycle accidents, stories of so-in-so killed on their motorcyle, seriously injured on their motorcycle, etc....and many times the story continues that the rider was drunk, going really fast, cutting across the road and getting run over by a car/truck, and was rarely wearing a helmet.

 

Until the govt gets serious about cracking down on motorcycle traffic violations such as not wearing helmets, no licenses (many of which are too young for a license), stupid driving, driving drunk on motorcycles, etc., there will be no large and consistent reduction in accidents or deaths.

Always remember a law abiding society provides nothing but obeying the law. The BIB are not stupid here they have no desire to kill the host that keeps on giving. Its something like running a bee hive. 

[Redline]

Just enforce the laws 365 days, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  How complex is this, really?  They keep circling around it.  Obviously, the police have more power than the army.

Edited April 19, 2017 by Redline

[PatOngo]

5 minutes ago, Redline said:

Just enforce the laws 365 days, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  How complex is this, really?  They keep circling around it.  Obviously, the police have more power than the army.

Follow the local attitude and just don't worry about it!

[Redline]

1 hour ago, PatOngo said:

Follow the local attitude and just don't worry about it!

Not much I can do anyway, but I do have to use the roads, and if I am in an accident, I'm the one more likely to be paying out the cash, since we negotiate with the police instead of a hearing in a court of law 

Edited April 19, 2017 by Redline

[jesimps]

It's still in full swing in Pattaya and will be for another day or two.

 

[Moonmoon]

The numbers r the same. Higher accidents, just less deaths. Probably due to some powerful talismans from some monks the victims were wearing.

Dont pat yourselves on the back for nothing.

[oldgent]

according to what,s reported death on the roads are down, yet we have a deluded man

raving on about young ladies bareing there breasts. what,s the country coming to.