Traffic Lights at Khao Tao Junction

[Big Boy]

I've just been reading that they will be installing traffic lights at this junction, and they will be operational by August.

When I see some of the crazy road junctions around town, IMHO this should be at the bottom of the list to require traffic lights. I use it a couple of times most days, and it is one of the safest junctions in the area, with proper length slip roads, etc.

Yes, you often see accidents there, but that is because people don't use the slip roads properly, and cut straight across oncoming traffic. There are most definitely road junctions around town in much greater need of additional safety measures. This junction needs user education, not traffic lights.

[Huahin Farms]

Better lights than no lights. Always up for safer conditions.

[Suua]

If this is the junction I'm thinking of (Heading south to Pranburi, 1st exit from Phetkasem road into Khao Tao with the 7/11 immediately on the right).....it's a death trap.
That section of Phetkasem rd is very fast.

Yes, there is a proper length slip road there, but that's only for drivers coming from Hua Hin.

For drivers leaving Khao Tao (heading back to Hua Hin), trying to get back onto the Phetkasem road, is dangerous.

If there is someone in the middle of the road (coming from Pranburi) trying to turn right into Khao Tao, while someone else is trying to exit Khao Tao onto the highway (to go back to Hua Hin), confusion usually ensues as to who has the right of way.
And with someone coming round the bend of Phetkasem at 100+, is a recipe for disaster.

I always avoid turning into Khao Tao at this junction, if coming from Pranburi, for this very reason and go the back route instead.

A roundabout would be a much better solution than traffic lights, but sadly Thais, and roundabouts are unaquainted.

[Big Boy]

That is certainly the junction that they are digging up at the moment, so I guess it is the one.

All junctions are dangerous I suppose, if you are not prepared to wait until it is safe.

This junction, like the rest of Khao Tao, is Hua Hin's showpiece. It's not been completed long, and in my opinion one of the safest in town. They have adhered to all of the correct protocols, and if rules of the road are obeyed should not be a problem. However doing things correctly on the road in Thailand does not happen very often.

I still maintain there are much worse junctions that should be attended before they fix something they've only recently completed, and is not broken yet. The only problem is drivers who don't know how to use the road.

[Dannie Boy]

And therein lies the problem - drivers who don’t understand the rules of the road or who are not prepared to wait until it’s safe - solution of traffic lights is much more feasible than trying to educate bad drivers!!

[Nereus]

I think that you are forgetting about just whom owns property at the beach end of the road.

[HHTel]

user education

The slip road turning right from Kao Tao is quite what you'd expect. The problem is that drivers coming at speed from Pranburi ignores the road signs, travels at speed across the 'hatched' lines and straight into the slip lane designed for traffic from Kao Tao to HH.

[Big Boy]

Is that actually possible without damaging your vehicle HHTel? For many months those hatched lines have been buried by traffic cones/bollards to stop the 'me first' drivers. In fact, they have now been replaced by a traffic island, which totally solves any initial flaw in the design.

The biggest danger at that junction is an old pre-dual carriageway road marking directing all traffic to the nearside lane when there is no obstruction ahead.

[buksida]

I reckon the one that needs the lights the most is the junction with the Pala-U road and the canal road right on the bend. It is a nightmare getting in and out of that one and nobody ever lets anyone go here as road courtesy doesn't exist.

[Big Boy]

'Me First'

Yes, I'm not saying lights aren't needed at Khao Tao, what I'm saying is there are far more traffic black spots around town that have a much greater need. Khao Tao is the bottom of my list.

[Geko]

The lights are installed now but not working yet, Northbound traffic on main road are not restricted (no lights), Southbound traffic on main road have lights as do the junction into and out of Khao Tao.

[Big Boy]

It must be August already . In true Thai time fashion the lights have been switched on.

As I suggested, another Thai white elephant. Lights North/South are permanently flashing amber. Lights from Khao Tao are permanently flashing red.

Money well spent. Road safety in Thailand had just improved 10 fold.

[Big Boy]

I meant to mention this last week, but with what appear to be perfectly functioning traffic lights at this junction (still permanently flashing amber or red), they had workmen there last week controlling the traffic with red and green flags

[Geko]

Lights working this morning, things seemed to be going smoothly. The only problem I see is that if traffic is backed up going South due to a red light, they could get very close to the blind corner not allowing sufficient time for fast moving traffic to stop.

[Big Boy]

Really? Normally a daily visitor, I won't get there until Friday this week. I wonder if they were waiting for the railway flyovers to open. Does anybody know if they are also open. They were getting very close to it a couple of days ago.