WHO urges Thailand to enforce traffic laws

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WHO urges Thailand to enforce traffic laws

Published: 9 Nov 2012 at 17.11
Online news: Local News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged Thailand to strengthen the enforcement of traffic regulations to improve road safety.

Even though the country has some of the best accident prevention laws in the region, they are not being enforced, according to Ho Yong Kim, the UN agency's representative in Thailand.

For example, she said, while most communities have a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour, it is seldom obeyed by motorists.

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bystander
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Discussion 36 : 10 Nov 2012 at 14.3036
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felixqui, D#35

"Why must people keep bringing up alcohol in these discussions?"

Sorry to have made you upset with my suggestion. I simply brought it up because it was posted on the billboards in my hometown, and more than 50% of the traffic deaths at that time were alcohol related. If the number of drunk drivers were reduced, the number of traffic deaths would also be reduced. Simple as that.

No, I don't think alcohol should be banned. However, I do believe that people should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle after they have been drinking. It is only common sense.
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felixqui
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Discussion 35 : 10 Nov 2012 at 13.5835
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bystander, re D33,

Why must people keep bringing up alcohol in these discussions?

Just because it's a drug of addiction that commonly kills innocent people in traffic accidents is irrelevant; such a tiny number of deaths for such a popular drug really don't count. Next you'll have people saying that such deadly drugs that kill should be illegal!
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john49
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Discussion 34 : 10 Nov 2012 at 13.5734
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svenviking d5 - Good thought but isn't this certificate you are talking about called a driving licence which is so easy to get here. The examiner at the place in Chiang Mai doesn't even get in the car, they just drive once round an 80 metre circle and if this is too difficult the price is 500 baht.
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bystander
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Discussion 33 : 10 Nov 2012 at 13.2833
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One simple low-tech solution that was effective in the small town where I grew up was a series of billboards at several major arteries/intersetions that listed:

1. The # of traffic related deaths from 1 Jan to present in the county.
2. The # of days since the last traffic related death.
3. The number of traffic related deaths involving alcohol or drugs.
4. The number of traffic related deaths involving no seatbelts.

These statistics kept the seriousness of driving in people's minds, and thus acted as a deterent to improper driving.
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topcat_bk
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Discussion 32 : 10 Nov 2012 at 13.1932
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D23 Simple answer:
The Vietnamese wear their helmets because they do not wish to find out what happens when they get pulled over by Vietnamese cops, combined with the certainty that they will.
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truegrit
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Discussion 31 : 10 Nov 2012 at 12.4531
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motorcycle riders in Thailand are a joke, they have no idea how to ride safely, the driving test is even a bigger joke. Start with the children teach them how to drive correctly, there is no hope for the parents that is a lost hope.
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ricoaj22
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Discussion 30 : 10 Nov 2012 at 12.4230
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Also how about making seatbelts in minivans compilsory too, in every minivan i have ever taken the seatbelts have been intentionally put out of use. I am sure there is a reason but i can't see how it supercedes passenger safety.
I can't believe there is no regulation there especially considering the numbers of users day in day out
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felixqui
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Discussion 29 : 10 Nov 2012 at 12.3629
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But aren't laws in Thailand made up to facilitate official corruption?
Do you mean that there is some other reason for making up laws? Never!
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ricoaj22
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Discussion 28 : 10 Nov 2012 at 12.3128
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Lots of very sensible comments on here that i agree wholeheartedly with! Stiffer penalties and proper rigorous driving education are essential things that need to be done.
I can't believe that women are allowed to ride on the side of motorbikes whilst wearing no helmet, I shudder everytime I see this happen. This country just needs a proper example of driving skills and road etiquette to be set and followed. i doubt i am the only person to have seen the authorires here not necessarily sticking to the laws they are meant to enforce.
It is a big ask, and stiffer penalties oould be a sensible first step to getting increased compliance however
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nipper240
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Discussion 27 : 10 Nov 2012 at 11.4627
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I am now convinced that Ploydonut is actually a member of the Bangkok Post admin staff, who just happens the write such mind blowingly simple and obtuse comments, just to get the regular punters riled
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WHO urges Thailand to enforce traffic laws | Bangkok Post: news