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.
Doctor's death sparks calls for land transport law reform
Last month, an accident made headlines in Thai media when a well-liked 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 police officer who killed him.
“I think road safety is linked to things like urban planning and public transport.
"When the state doesn't see the importance of its people, something like road safety is neglected," said Pinyapan Potjanalawan, a social science professor at Lampang Rajabhat University.
The death of Waraluck "Kratai" Supavatjariyakul, killed in a hit-and-run accident by Corporal Naravich Buadok while riding his Ducati on January 21, is one of thousands of such accidents.
According to the Thailand Road Accident Data Center for Road Safety Culture, Thailand recorded 13,479 deaths and 880,578 injuries from road accidents in 2021.
Data from the World Health Organization shows that it ranked first in the world for road traffic fatality rates in 2011, and has consistently ranked among the top ten countries over the past decade.
Mr. Pinyapan, whose work on transportation dynamics in Thailand includes research on road accidents, said such 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, who was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Naravich, later arrested after fleeing the scene, was charged with several offenses, including dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing and speeding.
Investigators discovered he was driving at speeds of up to 128 km/h.
His motorcycle had no rearview mirrors or license plate.
Public outrage has led police to call for a reform of the law, with an amendment to the Land Transport Act expected in July.
According to General Damrongsak Kittiprapat, deputy chief of the national police, motorists will now be fined 4,000 baht (109.87 euros) instead of 1,000 baht for failing to stop at pedestrian crossings.
Lack of transport policies
“Moving from one point to another is pushed to become something personal rather than public.
"This is pushing people to buy their own cars," Pinyapan said.
"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 said the high number of car users makes Thais blame people's discipline, as in the case of drunk drivers, adding that drunk people have few public transportation options 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 transport 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 '100 deaths curve', 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 rate of traffic deaths lies in research.
"I think it is essential to conduct research into accidents, whether it is technical research or social studies," he said, adding that it should be conducted alongside the work of the highway department to balance their power.
Pedestrian crossings and overpasses should be adapted to each location and "the distance to traffic lights and other factors should be calculated.
"All of this needs to be researched," he said.
Mr Pinyapan said affordable public transport would be a long-term solution, especially for those traveling 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 transport system.
Source: EFE
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5 comments
If Thai people were already obliged to study and know their highway code with an exam, like in Europe, before even considering applying for a driving license, that would significantly improve things...
How many Thai drivers know that they are obliged to stop at a pedestrian crossing to let pedestrians cross, which, as you say in the article, is a negligible "thing" in the road space...
Then the penalties imposed on drunk drivers found responsible for accidents resulting in death or serious injury to their victim should be to lose their driving license for life with prison sentences depending on the seriousness of the facts...
This will not resurrect the innocent victims, but it may give some people pause.
And that the police be more zealous in systematically cracking down and imposing hefty fines in cases of observed infractions (and not only by farangs), I am thinking in particular of wearing a helmet, which despite daily appearances is obligatory (yes, yes!) for mopeds and motorcycles, which very often and especially outside large towns, is not worn or not attached... 70% of fatal accidents are 2-wheel drivers, victims of skull fractures...
No need to do long, expensive research to implement these few measures...
All that is needed is for politicians and the bureaucratic administration to shake their heads off and work as a priority on bills which, when it comes to taking Covid measures, are voted on and applied in a few days...
And there are plenty of other measures that could be taken, including road safety courses in secondary schools... but these two would be a good start in both the short and long term...
On a motorbike, they are safe, they don't have a helmet, but they do have a mask (helmet, um, often pots and pans).
In cars, heavy goods vehicles, inattention, alcohol, recklessness...
And minibuses, the race to rotate.
The 5 essentials for MOTO
The helmet: safety first, it's the essential element. Make sure it's approved. It must be comfortable so it doesn't bother you during the ride or be too tight. But it will also define your style; you can choose a classic black helmet or a more trendy model. You can even customize it to make it unique.
The Jacket: Jackets and biker jackets are inseparable; it's impossible not to wear one on a motorcycle ride. The jacket will give you style. It's also important for your safety to choose a model that fits well, so you're comfortable while riding. Avoid jackets that are too fitted.
Pants: These go hand in hand with the jacket. Ideally, they should match the jacket's colors for a perfect combination. As with the jacket, you should be comfortable wearing them on your vehicle. For your safety, it's recommended to choose a model with protective gear.
Gloves: They'll protect you in the event of a fall, but more importantly, they'll prevent damage to your hands while riding. It's very easy to get blisters or marks with your hands constantly on the handlebars. Choose a durable pair.
Shoes: When it comes to shoes, it's best to prioritize comfort over aesthetics. Since your feet are constantly under stress while driving, choose a comfortable, breathable model.
Driving training should be improved, with hours of lessons on how to drive correctly, how to position yourself on the road, how to turn signals, etc.
In addition, many roads are terribly accident-prone...
Possibility of turning around on “highways”… Folkloric markings, etc.
Finally, reduce and enforce speed limits... 80km/h in Bangkok!!! Is that reasonable?
We 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 it hits, it must hurt!
In any case, year after year nothing changes, we really need to tackle the problem head on to see results in a few years...
In Thailand, a supposedly modern and civilized country, you buy a car or motorbike before getting your license, like in Africa, and 3/4 of them are not insured.