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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 12:51:12 GMT 7
THAILAND’s already dismal road safety record sank to new lows over the New Year holiday period as more than 400 people lost their lives in traffic accidents. In the worst of the incidents, 25 people died on Monday in Chonburi province after a pick-up truck and a minivan collided and burst into flames. In all, 426 people died on Thailand’s road between Dec 29 and Jan 3, up from 340 in the same period a year earlier. “Unfortunately the number of fatalities has increased despite a campaign from the government and law enforcement to increase safety,” government spokesman Weerachon Sukondhapatipak told Reuters. “Road safety is something we will have to continue working on continuously and not just during the new year period.” asiancorrespondent.com/2017/01/can-thailand-curb-appalling-road-fatality-rate/ |
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AyG
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Post by AyG on Jan 5, 2017 12:58:02 GMT 7
Has anybody ever seen a Thai policeman stop anyone for dangerous driving? I know I haven't in all my years here. However, I've seen hundreds of motorcyclists stopped and asked for a backhander fined for not wearing a helmet.
Until police corruption is ended and the existing laws are enforced, nothing will change.
(That said, I'm rather sceptical that Thai police actually know what constitutes safe driving.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 12:58:30 GMT 7
Balancing act required between the needs of people in poverty and road safety. I would be tempted to ban the carriage of people in the back of open pick ups, but that will affect the poor most.
So I'd settle for every pick up used for transporting people to have a cage of some sorts, and a harness for each person they are carrying. Imperfect, but I have had the misfortune of seeing the immediate aftermath of a pick up throwing people due to a crash.
It was a horror show.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 13:05:15 GMT 7
Has anybody ever seen a Thai policeman stop anyone for dangerous driving? I know I haven't in all my years here. However, I've seen hundreds of motorcyclists stopped and asked for a backhander fined for not wearing a helmet. Until police corruption is ended and the existing laws are enforced, nothing will change. (That said, I'm rather sceptical that Thai police actually know what constitutes safe driving.) I drove 200 km's on my bike yesterday - and within the first 600 metres was fined 200 baht for not having the paper copy of my licence. ( I had my licence ). I drove through at least seven permanent police check points, I reckon four were manned. The worst example of overloading I saw was a guy transporting 3 metre scaffolding poles. Lashed by rope, this would have caused carnage if this guy had hit anything. It's so regular to see pick ups carrying ridiculous weights and unstable loads it's hardly worth mentioning. Like the guy I see every week that puts between 10 and 12 motorcycles on the back of his pick up. Yeh, great to watch, terrifying if an accident occurs. It would be easy to clamp down on this level of stupidity. |
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me
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Post by me on Jan 5, 2017 13:10:43 GMT 7
Has anybody ever seen a Thai policeman stop anyone for dangerous driving? I know I haven't in all my years here. However, I've seen hundreds of motorcyclists stopped and asked for a backhander fined for not wearing a helmet. Until police corruption is ended and the existing laws are enforced, nothing will change. (That said, I'm rather sceptical that Thai police actually know what constitutes safe driving.) I drove 200 km's on my bike yesterday - and within the first 600 metres was fined 200 baht for not having the paper copy of my licence. ( I had my licence ). I drove through at least seven permanent police check points, I reckon four were manned. The worst example of overloading I saw was a guy transporting 3 metre scaffolding poles. Lashed by rope, this would have caused carnage if this guy had hit anything. It's so regular to see pick ups carrying ridiculous weights and unstable loads it's hardly worth mentioning. Like the guy I see every week that puts between 10 and 12 motorcycles on the back of his pick up. Yeh, great to watch, terrifying if an accident occurs. It would be easy to clamp down on this level of stupidity. I think you will find it is not the paper copy....It is the IDP book....you can get it through the Automobile AAssociation when you return...good for one year. It is basicly a translation of your licence and is required by the Treaty under which you are permitted to drive on foreign licences. Yes there are two treaties...the new one only needs the licence to be in English...but thailand and several other countries have not ratified that. |
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sl
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Post by sl on Jan 5, 2017 14:46:34 GMT 7
Balancing act required between the needs of people in poverty and road safety. I would be tempted to ban the carriage of people in the back of open pick ups, but that will affect the poor most. Not if you confine those pickups to rural roadways only Me – I would prefer outlawing anyone in the back of a pickup on any roadway. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 17:06:41 GMT 7
Don't expect much out of a developing country do you surely?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 18:01:32 GMT 7
Don't expect much out of a developing country do you surely? How much are those pick up cages you see all over the place in Isaan? Twenty-five people, including kids, died due to being thrown out an unsecured seating area. I reckon the cage would have saved some. |
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buhi
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Post by buhi on Jan 5, 2017 18:04:49 GMT 7
I have just returned from the local market, there is a pelican crossing, those strange thing where you press a button and wait for the lights to change red. Two cars sped past jumping the red light and four motorcycles; thankfully I am not blind.
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bowie
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Post by bowie on Jan 5, 2017 18:14:13 GMT 7
Barking up the wrong tree. It is a deep seated cultural aspect, of not giving, of predestination. Of having the amulet. Of having made merit. Of being raised beyond ones position by having a vehicle.
I repeat, no altruism. That a western christian concept. It can not change rapidly. Seat belts are not regarded as as a safety measure, but things you put on when police are about, about to fine you for not wearing it. A crash helmet is not to save your head being crushed, but to avoid a fine. But there is no fine, money passes hands, but no fine or prosecution.
Is this a western song?
Yes, one posted by bleth:
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 18:55:33 GMT 7
If whoever was in charge of the police, and the laws regarding traffic violations, started fining everyone who is seen without a helmet 10,000 baht you would not see anyone doing it within 24 hours. You have to hit them where it hurts, in the pocket, and you have to fine everyone, any time, not just now and again to bolster your measly pay packet.
Same with speeding and dangerous driving, overtaking on double lines etc, 10,000 baht on the spot fines, they would soon toe the line.
But it will never happen while you have a poorly paid police force who is only interested in raising a bit of tea money now and again.
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buhi
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Post by buhi on Jan 5, 2017 19:12:59 GMT 7
If whoever was in charge of the police, and the laws regarding traffic violations, started fining everyone who is seen without a helmet 10,000 baht you would not see anyone doing it within 24 hours. You have to hit them where it hurts, in the pocket, and you have to fine everyone, any time, not just now and again to bolster your measly pay packet. Same with speeding and dangerous driving, overtaking on double lines etc, 10,000 baht on the spot fines, they would soon toe the line. But it will never happen while you have a poorly paid police force who is only interested in raising a bit of tea money now and again. Sorry, a western argument, but absolutely logical. "But who am I, mr policeman, where am I on the caste pyramid? Touch me, lowly fellow and see what happens. And so it goes down the line, to the lowly police, who know who they can touch.The hi so police are not interested in such minor matters. The job is not policing, it is recouping the investment, paid by family, to retain their wealth. Thai way, not logical. |
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bowie
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Post by bowie on Jan 5, 2017 19:34:53 GMT 7
^^^
And it is just a little more subtle in the west.
Who gets power and retains it?
But, meritocracy has made an impact, a slow impact, a dent perhaps.
If you make the grade you do all you can to pass it on to your offspring.
All very natural.
Animals do not think.
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AyG
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Post by AyG on Jan 5, 2017 19:49:09 GMT 7
I'm pretty sure from my A-level biology lessons that animals do think. The frog that was pithed for my edification by having a needle inserted through its foramen magnum into its brain almost certainly thought "WTF?" (WTF = "why this frog?") |
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buhi
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Post by buhi on Jan 5, 2017 20:36:42 GMT 7
I'm pretty sure from my A-level biology lessons that animals do think. The frog that was pithed for my edification by having a needle inserted through its foramen magnum into its brain almost certainly thought "WTF?" (WTF = "why this frog?") Think or feel? |
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