I successfully failed to run over a scooter today

[davureborn]

Not meaning to be mean, but I always expect this kind of thing to happen, I certainly let the all bikes and miscellaneous crap get out of the f£$%ing way before I start to gingerly edge forward. I go through that intersection four times a day and it's a BUGGER.

[urleft]

My problem is that in a heavy traffic situation it is all I can do to keep track of the vehicles on coming and immediately around my area.  In a low traffic situation I have taught myself to check to the rear before turning, but I can't comprehend how anyone can try passing a string of cars all indicating they are going to turn in front of them. 

More practice and more patience needed on my part, don't try to rationalize it, it happens, deal with it and try to do better. 

[davureborn]

When I'm on top of things, I feel like I am gliding through a computer game without being hit, no noticeable quick brakings or swearing, nice sensation.  However there definitely are days when I can say to the wife after a kilometre or so that 'this is going to be one of those days'. And it generally is. Today was a day like that, a cyclist turned abruptly to his right in front of me without looking, and I mean I can't believe how he changed his forwards trajectory into a 90°one in milliseconds, without looking. Plus a few others.
I have long claimed that weather, or evil spirits or evil computer behaviour control programs influence how people drive on certain days. At least I notice it and apply the lesson to myself... maybe I should start buying amulets at the cross roads, my magic car cam doesn't seem to be of much use.

[urleft]

And others have successfully avoided:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJDig3A5u_Q


https://youtu.be/VJDig3A5u_Q

[davureborn]

Another good reason for keeping your distance.

[urleft]

found this vid that demonstrates the start of this thread:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzVlpzFI3Ho


https://youtu.be/PzVlpzFI3Ho

[davureborn]

While you are delving, look out for some Thai Road Safety videos, will you? I found TWO and that's it. I wonder what the Thai road safety council does apart from telling people they will lose their car for a few days if they get caught drunk driving once year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGps3ZEEb04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwl-uE2EzE

and of course, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868462-hahahahhaha-wipeout/

[Freddy]

 Not that I will be telling anyone anything they don't already know, having just returned from Phuket via Hua Hin on the drive back, I can confirm the the scooter riders and car/truck drivers are bloody mental everywhere south of Buriram. A 3,200km round trip including the running around at resorts. Quite an experience and very enjoyable.

[urleft]

So this morning I am driving into town from the Private Hospital, just before the RR tracks I signal to make a left turn.  However, I had to wait for the scooter coming the wrong way down the road that did not stop.  Then as I had almost completed the turn a scooter appeared in front of me causing me to slam on the brakes.  I said where the f$$k did that come from?  I figured out that the scooter made a right turn after crossing the tracks and decided they had right of way cut in front of me. 

And I still have at least 2 more trips into Buriram today, looks like extra caution is needed. 

[DeputyDavid]

I just don't get it.  Do stop signs not apply to those on scooters?  They come out of the side streets making a left turn, I assume praying all the while that they don't get hit, without looking or slowing at all.  Is there some unknown rule that scooters have the right of way regardless?  I get videos nearly every day online that show the carnage from scooter drivers/riders getting killed for absolutely no good reason.

[urleft]

DD, I meant to post last week where I was heading into the town and as I was getting to a T intersection where I was going straight a scooter stopped to make a left turn, looked directly at my car and waited for me to clear the intersection.  This was the 1st time I clearly remember a Thai doing that. 

[DeputyDavid]

Amazing.

[BillH52]

In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand;  motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.

[davureborn]

In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand;  motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.

The easy answer is that many motorbike riders are under age, so don't have a license OR insurance. The adults don't necessarily have insurance either. If one of these drives into the back of your truck the police will decide that it is your fault because you have 1st class insurance to cover, plus, obviously, millions in the bank to cover any 'extra costs' involved. I look on them as being more dangerous than a rampaging bull elephant.

[iammike]

In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand;  motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.

The easy answer is that many motorbike riders are under age, so don't have a license OR insurance. The adults don't necessarily have insurance either. If one of these drives into the back of your truck the police will decide that it is your fault because you have 1st class insurance to cover, plus, obviously, millions in the bank to cover any 'extra costs' involved. I look on them as being more dangerous than a rampaging bull elephant.

What about installing a driving recorder / dash cam in your car, would that help in case of an accident?