What would you Do ?

[Prakhonchai Nick]

I share your frustrations Jamaw. Years ago I offered my services in the field of health and safety at work, for which I was trained and qualified for and like you never received the courtesy of a reply. Just as hundreds die on the roads, many die in workplace accidents, fires in buildings, and if anyone recalls the fire in a Jomtien hotel  some 14/15 years ago where around 100 died due to locked fire exits, my house  adjoined the hotel premises. I sold my home which was turned into guest rooms for Thais for another hotel. Nobody has ever stayed there for more than one night, as it is believed it is haunted by the poor souls that died in the hotel fire. 

After major tragic events, Songkran and New Year road deaths committees are set up, but nothing ever changes and doubtless never will.

It would need a member of royalty, or perhaps the PM do be involved in a tragic acccident, and then sparks would likely fly.

I see in your post No 27 Jamaw, you are coming round to my way of thinking, by suggesting  the confiscation of vehicles caught speeding etc. Now that is even more harsh punishment than my suggested 10,000bt fine.




 

[Jamaw]

nick -I was an HSE training manager in the Middle East serving and providing all aspects of safety training to the oil industry. I have seen houses and hotels newly built here that defy fire and safety regulations but I guess you will know that more than me, you've probably seen worse.

The frustrations got to me (working in Arab countries 11 years, living in one 5 years) I wanted to semi-retire here (I'm 55) but it didn't work out as my internationally accredited qualifications and experience is not wanted in Thailand so I'm off to another hat that I wear soon, security, training bodyguards. Probably much easier! (more bodyguards are killed by cars than weapons)!!!

[rufusredtail]

If there was any one law i could change , it would be that no one can ride or sit in the back of cars with trays , and that seat belts are compulsory to where , also turning right on a red light , u turn that is , may be that would reduce a few deaths , what was the final figure of people that died in the song  kran period 

[Vombatus]

This has been a useful subject and I agree entirely with Jamaw re "the formula being the 3 'E's, Education, Engineering and Enforcement. All 3 must work in balance constructively with each other, any imbalance in it's ineffective!"

It then becomes more subjective about training/retraining. You cannot start with a clean sheet of paper but education CAN start at the early stage of school age, so that the bar is raised for the standard of 'passing' a test to drive on the roads. As far as older drivers are concerned, surely any evolution towards re-education is better than none. It will fall on stoney-ground in many cases - but couple this with a more realistic set of penalties and you are progressing.

Whilst (in the spirit of this thread) this would benefit all Thais, I doubt the will exists to make any changes to the status quo. Without wishing to be overly critical, if the Thais would not sign up to an International convention 20 years ago - they will not do so now. The first step in rehabilitation is to recognise that something is wrong.

[Jamaw]

Mr Coffee C - Correct. They have too much to hide to sign up!

[Jamaw]

Accidents like these (link) are very common but rarely seen. If more people see this then it has the desired effect!

This was filmed by a friend when recording his house being built, he was lucky (or unlucky) to have seen it develope as well as happen! It wasn't just speed but at least 4 contributing factors that caused it.

I've only just uploaded it to YouTube.

[Jamaw]

It's not just Thailand and at least Thailand has some excuses, this is a clip of New York. The USA leads the world in many things, road safety is certainly not one of them!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20110610/od_yblog_upshot/3-way-street-artist-video-tracks-scary-traffic

[lukey1979]

Accidents like these (link) are very common but rarely seen. If more people see this then it has the desired effect!

This was filmed by a friend when recording his house being built, he was lucky (or unlucky) to have seen it develope as well as happen! It wasn't just speed but at least 4 contributing factors that caused it.


I've only just uploaded it to YouTube.

That video needs to be seen by everybody, several Times. Shocking, but a cold hard truth about the state of driving In this country.

Thankyou Jamaw.

[den Buut]

Accidents like these (link) are very common but rarely seen. If more people see this then it has the desired effect!

This was filmed by a friend when recording his house being built, he was lucky (or unlucky) to have seen it develope as well as happen! It wasn't just speed but at least 4 contributing factors that caused it.

I've only just uploaded it to YouTube.

That's a horrible accident, would be nice to know the people came out of the baccident, injuries, deaths?

[Jamaw]

den Buut - I honestly don't know as I didn't get a chance to speak to the chap that filmed it. I know he enquired after he helped them and as far as I know only 1 died but that was a few days after, that could have changed later!

Hopefully, many lived as they are the best people to listen to!

I will never buy one of these vehicles because I know when I go away to work my wife would get pressurised by her family and would give in (she's the youngest of many).

[Jamaw]

I have hundreds of video's like that, people send them to me from all over the world and more gruesome than that one! They show them in many schools even in Arab countries, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Papua New Guinea....but not Thailand, too sensitive I'm told!

[den Buut]

I thought he was your friend.

[Jamaw]

He sent it to me when I was abroad and when I got back to Thai he was away!

[den Buut]

It happened 13 months ago, didn't speak to him since? I thought he was your friend.

[Jamaw]

Yes, many times but no more info!