The cabinet's approval of transport authorities' proposal to enhance the compulsory driving training course, by tripling the learning hours from five to 15 for would-be drivers, is a positive step forward.
But it will have little impact on road safety in Thailand if improved lessons are not part of the longer course and if traffic law enforcement remains lax.
Under current regulations, applicants for a driving licence have to pass a physical driving test, and then attend and pass a five-hour training course on traffic laws and general awareness of safe driving. But the proposal, approved Wednesday, will require all applicants to learn how to drive and then attend such training sessions -- all of this will take 15 hours and will be carried out by 90 certified driving schools. After passing the entire course, applicants can apply for a driving licence at any of the schools. The new rule will be applicable next year.
For many, this decision should have been made many years, if not decades, ago. But transport authorities must ensure the longer course will be complemented with better training. Novice drivers must be well-equipped with driving skills and get practical experience to drive safely on the roads. The current driving test only focuses on driving and parking in a small training compound.
Then, classroom training, with more hours, must be improved to enhance applicants' awareness of traffic regulations.
Authorities must recognise that road accidents in the country are not caused by a lack of knowledge about traffic laws, but a lack of respect for them along with lax law enforcement on the part of authorities.
Thailand's annual record of road fatalities is appalling and worrying. For example, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that in 2015 the country was the world's second deadliest place to drive, with traffic fatalities standing at 44 for every 100,000 people or, to make it sound simpler, 5.1% of total deaths in Thailand are from traffic accidents. Other reports point out that about 80 people are killed each day on the roads, with nearly three quarters of the fatalities coming from motorcycle-related accidents.
The increase in training hours will not make roads safer as long as drivers remain reckless behind the steering wheel. Breaking traffic laws has become the norm. Car drivers rarely put the brakes on when they approach zebra crossings for pedestrians to cross the road, for example. Motorcycle riders tend to be careless and break the speed limit, driving on pavements whenever they want.
Ignorance of using seat belts and helmets is also common for both drivers and riders and their passengers. WHO research shows that fewer than 50% of motorcycle riders and passengers wear helmets. This is despite the fact that nearly 75% of all road fatalities come from two-wheeled vehicles. In addition to those violations of law, drink driving and other offences on the road such as the much-hyped use of mobile phones or smartphones while driving are also key contributors to road accidents.
The government needs to realise that this enhanced compulsory training course will not reduce road accidents as long as law enforcement remains weak. There is a need for authorities to thoroughly and regularly enforce existing traffic rules and regulations. Law enforcement agents should be equipped with electronic gadgets to track traffic law breakers and then suspend their driving licences for a certain period of time once they exceed the limit of traffic law offences.
Imposition of higher fines and more patrols on the roads with greater coordination among officers can help curb road accidents and prevent the loss of lives. Tripling the hours of testing without doubling law enforcement efforts will not be helpful.