There are many reasons why Thailand has one of the worst road safety records in the world.
According to the World Health Organization, Thailand currently has the highest number of road traffic-related deaths in Asia.
The death of a doctor has led to calls for reform of the land transport law
Last month, an accident made headlines in the Thai media when a highly regarded female doctor was killed at a pedestrian crossing by a speeding police officer, sparking nationwide outrage.
Dr. Waraluck Supavatjariyakul, 33, and the motorcycle of the policeman who killed him.
"I think road safety is linked to things like urban planning and public transport.
"When the state does not see the importance of its population, something like road safety is then neglected," said Pinyapan Potjanalawan, a professor of social sciences at Lampang Rajabhat University.
The death of Waraluck "Kratai" Supavatjariyakul, killed following a hit-and-run by Corporal Naravich Buadok while driving his Ducati on January 21, is one of these thousands of accidents.
According to the Thai Road Accident Data Center for Road Safety Culture, Thailand recorded 13,479 deaths and 880,578 injuries from road traffic accidents in 2021.
Data from the World Health Organization shows that it ranked first in the world for road fatality rates in 2011, and has consistently been among the top ten countries over the past decade.
Mr. Pinyapan, whose work on transport dynamics in Thailand includes research on road accidents, said that these incidents are linked to societal values, and that the value of people in Thailand is not very high.
According to him, the high number of cars on the road not only increases the likelihood of accidents, but also makes pedestrians a minority group, as in the case of Waraluck, whose death was confirmed in the hospital.
Naravich, who was later arrested after fleeing the scene, was charged with several offenses, including dangerous driving causing death, failure to stop at a pedestrian crossing, and speeding.
Investigators discovered that he was driving at speeds of up to 128 km/h.
His motorcycle had neither a rearview mirror nor a license plate.
Public outrage has led the police to call for a reform of the law, with an amendment to the land transport law expected in July.
According to General Damrongsak Kittiprapat, deputy chief of the national police, motorists will now be liable to a fine of 4,000 baht (109.87 euros) instead of 1,000 baht for not stopping at pedestrian crossings.
A lack of transport policies
"Movement from one point to another is being pushed to become something personal rather than public.".
"This encourages people to buy their own car," said Mr. Pinyapan.
"The more cars there are on the road, the more accidents there are, because we cannot expect humans to be able to control safety 100%."
He stated that the high number of car users leads Thais to blame people's discipline, as in the case of drunk drivers, adding that intoxicated people have few means of public transport available to them, so they drive.
See also: Drunk driving remains the leading cause of road accidents in Thailand
According to Mr. Pinyapan, the Thai transportation system does not allow people to travel safely.
People blame ghosts rather than engineering errors
In his work, the professor wrote about truck drivers and motorcyclists who are portrayed as "bad guys" because accidents often involve them, but stated that the real cause of road incidents is the lack of transportation policies.
"In a way, it's our road system that's the bad guy," he said, adding that superstition in Thailand also fuels the idea of ghosts causing accidents.
“When people die on the road, we add beliefs in the supernatural.”.
We often hear about the 'haunted curve' or the 'curve of 100 deaths', whose defects could be caused by construction errors.
“People blame ghosts rather than engineering errors,” Pinyapan said, adding that the solution to Thailand’s high traffic-related death rate lies in research.
"I think it is essential to conduct research on accidents, whether it be technical research or social studies," he said, adding that they should be carried out alongside the work of the road service in order to balance their power.
Pedestrian crossings and viaducts should be adapted to each location and "the distance to traffic lights and other factors should be calculated.
"All of this needs to be investigated," he said.
Mr. Pinyapan stated that affordable public transport would be a long-term solution, particularly for those travelling outside Bangkok, and that the government had a vital role to play in improving road safety in Thailand.
He added that to reduce accidents, calls for discipline must go hand in hand with a good transportation system.
Source: EFE
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5 comments
If Thais were required to study and learn their traffic laws, with an exam as a result, like in Europe, before even considering applying for a driver's license, things would improve considerably…
How many Thai drivers know that they are obligated to stop at a pedestrian crossing to let pedestrians cross, which, as you say in the article, constitutes a negligible "thing" in the road space…
Furthermore, the penalties imposed on drunk drivers found responsible for accidents resulting in death or serious injury to their victims should include a lifetime driving ban and prison sentences depending on the severity of the offense…
This will not bring back the innocent victims, but it may make some people think.
And the police should be more zealous in systematically cracking down and imposing hefty fines for observed offenses (and not just those committed by foreigners). I'm thinking in particular of helmet use, which, despite appearances, is mandatory (yes, really!) for mopeds and motorcycles, and which is very often not worn or fastened, especially outside major urban areas… 70% of fatal accidents involve two-wheeled vehicle riders, victims of skull fractures…
No need to conduct lengthy and expensive research to implement these few measures…
All it takes is for politicians and the bureaucratic administration to get their act together and prioritize working on bills which, when it comes to taking Covid measures, are passed and implemented in a matter of days…
And there are plenty of other measures to take, including road safety courses in secondary schools… but these two would be a good start in the short and long term…
On motorcycles, they're safe; they don't wear helmets, but they do wear masks (helmets, well, they're often just pots and pans).
In cars and trucks, it's inattention, alcohol, recklessness…
And in minibuses, it's all about the race to keep up.
The 5 essentials for MOTORCYCLES
The helmet: safety first, it's mandatory. Make sure it's approved. It should be comfortable so it doesn't bother you during your ride or feel too tight. But it will also define your style; you can choose a classic black helmet or a more fashionable model. You can even personalize it to make it unique.
The jacket: Jackets and motorcyclists are inseparable; it's impossible to ride a motorcycle without one. A jacket will give you a stylish look. It's also important for your safety to choose a model that fits properly so you're comfortable while riding. Avoid jackets that are too fitted.
The trousers: They go hand in hand with the jacket. Ideally, they should match the colors of the jacket for a perfect combination. As with the jacket, you must be comfortable wearing them while driving. For your safety, it is advisable to choose a model with protective features.
Gloves: They will protect you in case of a fall, but more importantly, they will prevent damage to your hands while riding. It's very easy to get blisters or marks, as your hands are constantly on the handlebars. Choose a durable pair if possible.
Shoes: When it comes to shoes, comfort should be prioritized over style. Since your feet are constantly under stress while driving, opt for a comfortable, breathable model.
Driver training needs to be improved, with hours of lessons, to drive correctly, position oneself on the road, use turn signals, etc.
Furthermore, many roads are terribly accident-prone…
Possibility of turning around on "highways"... Folkloric signage, etc.
Finally, reduce and enforce speed limits… 80km/h in Bangkok!!! Is that reasonable?
People complain about the 30 km/h speed limit in Paris, which just goes to show that not all leaders have the same… sensitivity! On highways or motorways, people overtake on the left “at full speed”.
When he hits her, it must hurt!
In any case, year after year nothing changes; we would really have to tackle the problem head-on to see results in a few years…
In Thailand, a supposedly modern and civilized country, people buy their cars or motorcycles before getting their licenses, just like in Africa, and three-quarters of them are not insured.