How can Thailand curb its appalling road fatality rate?

[PeteC]

I don't know if we've posted this link before but regardless, here it is. Bookmark it as it seems the most accurate reference available.

http://www.thairsc.com

[usual suspect]

This evening I rode my m/cycle from the Dole factory back to H.H. along the Pala-U Rd..In that half hour I witnessed blatant bullying by pick-ups, some literally forcing the on-coming vehicle to swerve right to his left as the overtaking pick-up forced his way thru'.
Next factor was headlights..So,so many cars driving on full-beam..WTF! (I did indeed almost had to stop by the roadside due to being damn well blinded!)
Then I saw not 1, but 3 motorcycle+sidecar/Salengs put-putting along with no rear lights at all (not good when blinded by oncoming t****rs)
Just 3 instances where potential fatalities could have been the outcome...But this is the norm here, and none of the examples above will ever change..Ho-hum.

[StevePIraq]

Very little will change here, the authorities have no "Will" to change things. They can pass all the laws you like but police will not enforce any.

It's sad but all you can do is drive defensively and look out for yourself. Little if anything will ever change here

[oakdale160]

I have a very wise friend. American, taught law for several years at a Thai University. Married into a very Hi-So Thai family and now just manages their money.
Some years ago after some political upheaval, I asked him "What is going to happen next?" He said, "Do you want to get a reputation of being very wise about Thailand?" That would be nice" I replied. "Well, whenever you are asked a question like that, about anything in Thailand, pause, look very thoughtful and then reply---You know, in the long run, not much will change, and you will always be correct. This thread asks a question--the answer is "Not much will change"

[handdrummer]

Things in Thailand will change when the education system changes. In other words not much will change.
Over the 70 yrs. that my wife has lived here the only real changes have been social; ie, fashion, slang, tv, increase in autos, imported goods and other minor items. Attitudes remain the same with some changes in the current 18-25 yr. old group. Mainly increased ability to think and reason but tempered by traditional need for obedience.

[thebears]

Thailand's ubiquitous and poorly conceived U-turn junctions. I think they are one of most relevant causes of serious accidents. They would be dangerous in any country, even one with a passing regard for road-manners, but in a place which isn't renowned for intellectual heavyweights nor of common sense, the U-turn junctions are a killer.

While waiting to perform a U-turn, no sooner than you're ready to turn, a facing truck attempting to U-turn from the opposite direction, will obscure your view and sit waiting, though badly positioned. It effectively means that you are not only waiting for the approaching traffic ahead of you to clear, but you're also waiting for the traffic behind you to clear, so that the bonehead who's blocking your view ahead can complete his U-turn first. The answer within jurisdictions possessing the ability to think, has been to use roundabouts, but the locals don't have the capacity to understand the priorities. Despite the rules on Thai roundabouts broadly respecting the UK-style priorities, many confused motorists assume the French-style, which is to give way to joiners. That in itself is a giveaway that few have been bothered to familiarise themselves with what is a very basic traffic regulation.

Not only this, but many drive too fast for roundabouts to be workable. There's no hope, frankly. I also think that Thais tend to purchase vehicles which are too large, considering their skills and ability to handle them. I prefer to stay indoors now, because the Thai roads and users are unfit for purpose.

[Takiap]

I have a very wise friend. American, taught law for several years at a Thai University. Married into a very Hi-So Thai family and now just manages their money.
Some years ago after some political upheaval, I asked him "What is going to happen next?" He said, "Do you want to get a reputation of being very wise about Thailand?" That would be nice" I replied. "Well, whenever you are asked a question like that, about anything in Thailand, pause, look very thoughtful and then reply---You know, in the long run, not much will change, and you will always be correct. This thread asks a question--the answer is "Not much will change"

Absolutely correct, and if more of us could accept this, more of us would be happy. It has not changed, it is not changing, and it will not change.

I know certain members on here will disagree, but change in Thailand is slow, and it ain't going to change for us.

[Nereus]

Thailand tops Asean road death table

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... eath-table

Thailand’s roads are the deadliest in Southeast Asia and among the worst in the world for vehicle accidents and fatalities, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released on Friday.

The report showed the death rate per 100,000 population in Thailand was 32.7, far ahead of Vietnam which came second at 26.7. Singapore was the safest at 2.8. (see graphic).

The figure for Thailand was up marginally from 32.6 in the last WHO survey three years ago, when the country had the second-highest road fatality rate in the world, behind only Libya.

The road-death rate in Libya fell to 26.1 per 100,000 in the latest survey. Only a handful of countries worldwide fared worse than Thailand oin the new survey, among them Liberia at 35.9 and Democratic Republic of Congo at 33.7.

Only Brunei was not included among Southeast Asian states surveyed in the WHO's Global Status Report on Road Safety, based on a comprehensive analysis of data from 2016.

The high fatality rate of the country made the average rates of road traffic death per 100,000 people in Southeast Asia to 20.7, slightly up from its previous survey of 19.8 in 2013.

By region, only Africa had more road deaths per 100,000, at 26.6, according to this year's report. The safest place was Europe, with 9.3 deaths for every 100,000 people.

The survey collected information from 175 countries.

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Motorcyclists and their passengers accounted for 74% of all road deaths in Thailand, against just 6% for passengers in cars and light vehicles, according to figures gathered from the Disease Control Department. Pedestrains and cyclists each accounted for 8% of the deaths, the WHO said.

The report said the high toll was a consequence of weak law enforcement in Thailand against drink-driving, helmet wearing for motorcyclists and riders, and seat-belt usage.

Only 51% of motorcycle drivers and 20% of passengers wore safety helmets in the country, while 58% of car drivers and 40% of front-seat passengers fastened their seat belts, it said.

Worldwide, road traffic accidents are now the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years, the WHO said.

Related story: Road accident deaths swell to 1.35 million each year
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/ ... -each-year

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[oakdale160]

I am surprised at the figure for helmet-wearing by motor-cyclists in Thai--the study says 51%. A few months ago, a group of us in a roadside bar in HH did a totally unscientific survey of the first hundred m/b to pas us, the answer was 32% we felt this was higher than usual.
In some places in Thai, Pattaya for one, the M/B taxi drivers insist on you wearing a helmet as they get fined if you don't.

[laphanphon]

When in Udon Thani, large metro for Thailand, and daytime, since enforcement, easily 90 % wearing.

Night time, no enforcement, and notably,the complete opposite, probably 10 - 20 % wearing.

Down here / PKK, very lax enforcement, maybe once a week and one road, so I'd guess 50 % or less during the day, less at night. Although, small town, very low speed, minimal traffic aside from rush hour, and I've rarely seen an accident in 2 yrs here.

Where in Udon Thani, at least one person a day died. Yearly tally always seemed to be at / over the 400 deaths.

[Dannie Boy]

My observations are that the further you get from any built up area, the less they wear helmets.

[laphanphon]

Yes, without the check points people complain about so much, comes less use of the helmets. So obvious when night time arrives.

As obvious as day and night.

The check points do save lives, so they can stop me everday and hopefully check not only helmets, but license, registration and insurance.

Then all might actually be compliant .... and yes I know, TIT, never happen, in my lifetime.

Getting an actually citation, instead of a simple receipt. That would end their best income producer.

[HHTel]

Even better if they do moving patrols as in most countries. How many do you see slip their helmet on when approaching a checkpoint or even just driving through. (The police can't be bothered to give chase). Checkpoints are more of a hindrance than useful.
Didn't the chief try to outlaw them in BKK because of the negative effect on traffic, telling his minions to get out on the road and enforce the law.

[dundrillin]

Tachographs on public service vehicles. Pickups fitted with device to limit top speed to 90km/h

Enforcement, Enforcement Enforcement.

This is my wish list for Santa this year.

[laphanphon]

You do know Santa isn't real .....

Had that on my list also, and got to read it again .... 'return to sender' ...