Thailand is known to be one of the most unsafe countries in the world when measured by the proportion of people who die in road traffic accidents. In its most recent global report (2018), the World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Thailand as the No 9 country in terms of road traffic deaths, with 32.7 fatalities per 100,000 head of population.
Consistently in recent years, 20,000 or more people have lost their lives in road traffic accidents each year. Thousands more are injured, with many disabled for the rest of their lives. Approximately 75% of the victims are users of two- and three-wheelers, mainly motorcyclists, and most are aged between 15 and 29 years.
But since 2020, the statistics have started to look better. Whereas in 2019, 19,904 deaths were reported, the number fell to 17,983 in 2020, and 16,494 in 2021. People started asking whether Thailand had finally turned a page and if road safety was at last improving.
Sadly, this was not the case. In recent months, the number of traffic deaths has increased to levels similar to those seen in 2019. This coincides with a resumption of normal life, after restrictions that had been imposed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic were lifted.
During much of 2020 and 2021, many people reduced their movements, resulting in less traffic on the roads and fewer accidents. But that period seems to be over now, and unfortunately, people have also returned to their unsafe driving habits.
We know what the main causes of accidents are: motorcyclists not wearing a helmet, people drinking and driving, and speeding. These three high-risk behaviours, often combined, make driving dangerous both for motorists and their passengers, but also for pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.
The International Health Policy Program, Thailand, has calculated that if everyone were to use a helmet, 6,984 deaths could be prevented annually and the overall casualty rate from traffic accidents could be reduced by a third. Similarly, drunk driving causes 5,529 deaths annually, or roughly 28% of all traffic deaths. If people would just wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, and refrain from driving after drinking alcohol, over 60% of those lives lost on the roads could be saved. Two simple actions, resulting in over 12,000 deaths averted every year. It is that simple.
This means that making Thailand's roads safer is something we can all contribute to. Don't get on a motorcycle without a helmet, and if you often use a motorcycle taxi, bring your own helmet. When partying, make sure one person in the group is the designated driver who does not drink. When on the road, stick to the speed limit. These are measures that we can all abide by. In fact, they are measures that we must all abide by.
Of course, the authorities can do more to improve road infrastructure, pass legislation to make roads and vehicles safer, or enforce the implementation of existing rules and regulations. But improving our safety on the roads does not mean we have to wait for others to step in. If we change the way we behave, many people's lives will be saved, including possibly your own and that of a loved one. And together, we can reach the nation's goal of reducing road traffic deaths to less than 12 per 100,000 people by 2027.
Think about this as you celebrate New Year. Wear a helmet. Don't drink and drive. Don't drive too fast. Happy 2023 to everyone.
Jos Vandelaer is WHO Representative to Thailand.