Reader Talkback Results: How would YOU suggest Thailand improve pedestrian road safety?

Sunday, 30 January 2022, 13:41

The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…

Last week, we asked you the following:

How would YOU suggest Thailand improve pedestrian road safety?

The context behind this question was:

This week, inspired by one of the biggest stories of the past week in which a young female doctor was tragically killed by a police officer speeding on a motorbike while crossing a crosswalk in Bangkok, we asked this question.

Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. Obviously, we can’t post everyone’s opinion here so selected a variety of the most diverse opinions. As always, the opinions and statements below are the reader’s own and may not reflect those of TPN media. There have been minor edits for spelling and grammar only:

P.S. We had hundreds of comments to this talkback, one of our most ever. The vast majority of people said hard rule enforcement was needed vs. more signs, PR campaigns, painting of roads, removing crosswalks, fines increasing, etc. Most felt Thailand already has enough laws (and there are hundreds for traffic) and didn’t need to make more, but rather enforce current ones.

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Peter M-the only way forwards to change the pattern of drivers behavior in Thailand is by education, installing a driver education program similar to those in most countries that we would like to emulate, and then enforcement of the law by a well trained and paid Thailand Traffic Police (TTP) and suitable heavy fines that are a powerful disincentive to bad behavior, using social disgrace. Good driving skills must be given official approval and acknowledgment.

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Ray Z-Have you ever noticed how many people here drink alcohol at the beach….and drive home? Have you noticed how many people drive and look at a cell phone? Take Food Panda and Grab for example. The more deliveries the driver makes, the more money he makes. They are some of the worst motorbike drivers in Pattaya…zooming in and out of traffic as if they own the road. Police should be patrolling and not sitting under a shade tree.

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R.F.-

One way to improve traffic for pedestrians in this dangerous country might be to get the police to enforce traffic laws, e.g. maximum of 2 people on a motorbike, helmets, speed cameras, and fines.

We are all pedestrians at some point so it would be for the good of all.

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David N-

Hello,
The main root of the problem is cultural. Most Thais just do what they want while driving cars, trucks, or motorcycles. The best example of this is the police officer that killed the doctor. He did not wear a helmet, had no insurance, no license for the bike, and more. In my four years living in Thailand while either driving my car or motorcycle, riding my bicycle, or walking I can say I have seen it all.
Thailand has one of the worst accident rates in the world.
People need to be more educated about operating a vehicle and the police need to issue more tickets for traffic violations

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A.A.-Enforce the very good road-related laws and ensure proper punishments. Install cameras at every pedestrian crossing as most drivers ignore the red lights.

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Keith B-Stop painting zebra crossings on the roads that gives the illusion that it’s safe to cross!!

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Paul C-First thing I would do is stop these ridiculous bloody adverts for new cars or bikes on the television, every selling point is about speed, screaming round corners, switching to sport mode, and laughing as you whoosh past another motor.

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Steve B-Try not to forget that we are all guests in this country. A privilege that can be revoked at will.

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David M-

Enforcement of all road rules. Stop the bs checkpoints except if you want to check for drinking.

There are police boxes at almost every major intersection. Have the police actually come out and do their job and enforce those breaking the law.

I can typically count 15-20+ violations(helmet, limit line, too many people) on motorbikes alone while I’m stopped for 60-90 seconds.

Think of the revenue they could generate! Conservatively let’s say 5000baht a minute. That could potentially catch 3.6mil at every major intersection in a 12-hour time frame. That’s 32.4 million for just the 9 main intersections of Pattaya in a day!

And with the enforcement of road rules, will actually bring down the accident and death rate of non-pedestrians too

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Richard A-Expensive but gates that come down to stop traffic when a pedestrian presses the button at a crosswalk.

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Brett F-How about pedestrians start taking some responsibility I don’t know how many I have nearly hit because they just cross the roads without looking

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Greg L-Underage riders on bikes need to be enforced, slow the bikes down, and generally, the police should be doing what they are paid to do

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Bryan B-Start by police enforcing road law’s if there are any instead of raiding bars, that would be a good start.

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Chris M-My phone battery would be flat before I had gotten halfway through the suggestions.

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Mark H-There is a simple solution that would also fix the highest road death toll in the world. DRIVERS EDUCATION. I cannot believe with all the politicians they have not one has thought of that.

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Tim M-Its hopeless…and always will be until law enforcement starts penalizing the drivers that violate the driving rules…Instead of more condos and hotels maybe provide more parking areas.

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That is it for this week! See you again very soon for a brand new Talkback!