Moves that should help cut Thailand's road fatalities
I was saddened to see the 341 deaths for the "seven dangerous days" and PM Prayut's reaction by requesting agencies to find ways to reduce the toll.
As an Australian living in Bangkok, I respectfully suggest that the accident reduction programmes put into place in Australia and elsewhere would greatly assist in reducing Thai road fatalities.
Australia had 28 deaths for a similar period or one per 857,400 persons, while Thailand is one per 164,000.
Some suggestions:
• Compulsory helmets for motorcycle drivers and passenger
• Only one passenger per motorcycle
• 0.05-per-cent blood alcohol maximum with the use of “booze bus” testing
• Policing of speed limits by use of radar guns and speed cameras on vehicles
• Compulsory seatbelts for all car passengers
• Special baby seats and harnesses for children under five years
Plus an intensive media campaign to promote road safety.
Ray Gregory
Bangkok
