We need clarification on seatbelts and children in pickups
I fully support the wearing of seatbelts in vehicles to increase the safety of passengers, but would someone in authority please clarify in simple terms the latest rules regarding seatbelts and the carrying of passengers in vehicles?
To date we have had order, then counter-order and now disorder – at least in the minds of most of us.
What seems to be clear – and reasonable: everyone in a public service vehicle must wear a seatbelt – what about songthaews? Once Songkran is over no-one may travel in the cargo bed of a pickup.
Everyone in a “standard private vehicle” fitted with seatbelts must wear them.
What is not clear: No mention has been made of children; whether they should be in child seats or child seatbelts.
What about the carriage of people in the bench seat of an extended cab pickup? As these vehicles comprise the vast majority of pickups in Thailand, it is a matter of major concern to so many people.
If people can travel in neither the cargo area of the “back seat” of a pickup, this will fundamentally change how people live and work, especially upcountry. It is worth pointing out that seatbelts cannot just be fitted there, as there are no anchor points and the metal is too thin to support them.
So what are people to do? This “law” has been rushed into service with little thought and no time for people to react. If it is not to remain simply a goose that lays golden eggs for the police, it needs some serious thought, amendment and time. Meanwhile, back to my first sentence – clarificatio
