Learning the correct light signals

I couldn’t remember when the project was first held, but during the Rio de Janeiro event I had a chance to hear the Brazilian president’s speech. He said that if any country or its leader wanted any significant change, the first thing that needed to be changed was its people and society. Do not try change people in other nations, he said, and don’t try to change the world, since people and society in each country differs from others. 

Personally, I believe in this kind of thinking, and I have been saying that Thais should behave according to their personal status that corresponds with the country’s traditions and culture. However, I am not implying that we should go against the cultures and traditions of other countries or come out against new technologies. We just need to accept them as much as we need. We don’t need to run after technology or act like we’re the leader in technology while the majority of the people in this country are still poor. 

I am saying this because I want motorists in this country to understand that many features that are offered in automobiles need to be used without disturbing others. Sometimes, many of these expensive features are unnecessary, although test-drive articles from abroad may say that it is a good thing for a particular country. Some of the features could actually lead to danger when switched on, although in some countries they are widely used. 

A common practice in Thailand is the flashing of the high-beams when a vehicle goes through a junction. The meaning of this is that “I am going straight through, others please don’t get in the way”. But the same signal, when used in other countries, means “I can see you, and I am letting you go first”. 

Although this kind of signal in Thailand may cause confusion for foreigners when they drive in Thailand, I am not trying to tell Thai people to change the way the high-beam is used right away. But I would like to tell Thais to drive through a junction without using any light signal at all. 

I believe that once the older generation is gone or if people desist from using this kind of signal when going through a junction, I or other motoring journalists would then tell the next generation of drivers about the correct way that is used internationally. 

At the same time, I also try to tell foreigners who drive in Thailand to learn about the Thai way of using light signals, so that they understand what’s going on, in order to prevent accidents. 

Having different meanings for light signals does not mean that any particular country is wrong, and rapid change must be taken. 

Speaking about light signals, let me explain another example, which is not so commonly used today when travelling upcountry, especially when trailing behind large trucks or pickup trucks. 

This is the switching of left and right indicator lights back and forth, and many of the new generation drivers do not understand what it means. They may even get confused what the driver of the vehicle in front is trying to communicate. Actually this means “I am decelerating and if you are trailing behind me closely and at high speed please be careful”. 

Some may say that if we decelerate sharply by pressing the brakes, then the brake lights should be adequate to warn vehicles behind, so there is no need to switch the indicator lights on and off. But don’t forget that this practice started many decades ago by truck drivers. When drivers of large trucks with 10 tonnes of cargo take their foot off the accelerator, the truck slows down very quickly due to the engine brake plus the weight of the vehicle. This happens without the brake lights coming on. So cars following the truck may suddenly crash into its rear end. 

Moreover, large trucks and buses today also come with an exhaust brake function, which slows down the vehicle more quickly. Now there are higher chances that the vehicles behind may crash into them. 

So using left and right indicator lights by large trucks can warn traffic behind of their rapid deceleration and prevent accidents. 

Any driver who is unfamiliar with this type of light signal should learn about it and not think that the truck driver is crazy or drunk. Do note that this means “I have warned you”.