Govt should get serious about road safety
In Francois Dore’s “Just how safe are BKK taxis?” he explains quite clearly the circumstance of the French couple experience, but misses the main point.
That is, presumably, for the extent of injury they were not wearing seat belts.
Why??? Because taxis do not have functioning rear seat belts, at best, will have a sash belt, but no secured buckle.
The problem goes much further than this single incident.
The problem is that Thailand has no Road Safety or Road Trauma Reduction Program in place. Sure, it has speed limits that are rarely enforced and most traffic offences are simply fund raising for road traffic cops.
It’s time the Prayut gov’t gave attention to resolving the horrendous road toll with loss of life and consequent injuries that impact on the nation, communities, employers and families.
Many countries have effective road safety and trauma reduction programs in place – addressed through laws, education, advertising and strict enforcement practices.
A program could be easily adapted for Thailand at relatively little cost, compared to current costs of road accidents that would be tens of billions of baht each year.
Until this government takes road safety as a serious social and economic matter, it will continue to be “mai pen rai”.
Ray Gregory
