Pile up in Bangkok as flustered granddad, 80, steps on the accelerator instead of the brake.

 

Image: Daily News

 

An 80 year old granddad out for a drive in Bangkok in his Benz drove into seven vehicles after police said he stepped on the accelerator rather than the brake.

Sawat Srirotnan got confused by the pedals after he rear ended a Toyota Rivo pick-up then slammed on the accelerator.

He ploughed into a taxi, a Camry and a total of seven other vehicles. He also damaged three barrier sections.

Phraratchawang police found his blue Mercedes Benz with the front smashed in at a roundabout at the junction of Sanam Chai and Charoen Krung Roads in central Bangkok yesterday.

Phitchaya Thawitsri of Phraratchawang police said that Sawat seemed to be in full possession of his faculties and was not drunk. He panicked after hitting the pick-up, he said.

He was fined 1,000 baht for negligent driving while insurance was sorting out the mess he had left behind.

 

Source: Daily News

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-29

Same problem is happening in Japan with the rich elderly and their cars...

Not just the elderly.

Last winter the g/f was driving us back to Pattaya from a trip upcountry. There was a pick-up with one of those big aluminum boxes (like delivery companies use) a couple cars ahead of us and he lost it on a curve. Swerved one way, then the other, then right across the road and into the ditch on the other side.

My instinct was to pull over and stop but the g/f slammed her foot on the gas and sped ahead, coming dangerously close to hitting the car ahead of us !! 

 

I asked why she did that and she said she was scared and trying to get away in case the truck came back onto the road ! (It was nose down in the ditch and there was no way it was coming back out on it's own.)

 

She simply panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake. I don't know it they are taught like that or what but we were lucky we didn't end up in a multi-car collision as a result.

 

"Phitchaya Thawitsri of Phraratchawang police said that Sawat seemed to be in full possession of his faculties..."

 

Oh, really? Maybe all those other vehicles crashed into him then?   

No mention of the police advising him to stop driving or getting the licensing authority to revoke his licence (if he has one).

 

so pay your 1000 baht, get your car fixed and carry on!

Yes this old gent should lose his license permanently for this mess.  I hope the insurance

company says that to him as  it looks like they will be paying for his actions.

Geezer

฿1,000 fine is absolutely a joke. 

9 minutes ago, wvavin said:

฿1,000 fine is absolutely a joke. 

True.

 

He was driving a Benz, so should have been given a deep wai and allowed to go home. Don't they know who he is?

 

On 7/30/2017 at 7:28 AM, Classic Ray said:

No mention of the police advising him to stop driving or getting the licensing authority to revoke his licence (if he has one).

 

so pay your 1000 baht, get your car fixed and carry on!

driving a benz, he likely laughed at the 1000 fine; outdated laws; also as you pointed out, where is the future fix to this guy driving ? he will do this again and again ?