When will they learn?

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Originally Posted by FailSafe

I'm very into wearing proper gear (not just a helmet) and have a lot of it for various weather conditions, but I've also got the money to buy it. A helmet that will actually help in a crash will cost a few thousand baht at a bare minimum (a high-end, well-ventilated, comfortable helmet can easily run 15K+)- few locals are willing or able to spend that much on something they don't believe they'll ever need, and if they do buy one, they have to make sure it doesn't get stolen so they can't leave it on their bike and will be burdened with looking after it.

A 250 baht helmet from Tesco doesn't do much- it's slightly better than nothing, but that's about it. There would have to be not only an enforced helmet law with substantial penalties, but also a safety standard (DOT, Snell, ECE, whatever) that would greatly increase the cost of a helmet to riders- many of whom would have trouble affording it- to make a real difference in road fatalities.

It's not just a legal or religious issue- it's a financial issue as well.

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Just spend 30 minutes on any intersection and see how many Thai Motorcyclists actually know the correct procedure for making a simple right hand turn ,at least 90% of them take the corner on the WRONG SIDE" OF THE ROAD ,with the net result any one turning left at the same time has to either brake hard or take avoiding action to avoid an "head onner" , a years ago I once said to a late good friend of mine that "life is cheap" here in Thailand , he just matter of fact said yeah its 35 baht(fitted) for a new rear light bulb for your motorbike , both of these suicidal tendencies could be solved with proper policing at very little expense to the offender .

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Originally Posted by beazalbob69

It's none of my business or anybody else including law enforcement.

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I tend to agree as it relates to seat belts and helmets but those are but 2 examples. Speeding, ignoring red lights, drunk driving and a host of other unenforced traffic laws are certainly my business unless I want my blood and guts scattered on the road.

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Originally Posted by Norton

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Originally Posted by beazalbob69

It's none of my business or anybody else including law enforcement.

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I tend to agree as it relates to seat belts and helmets but those are but 2 examples. Speeding, ignoring red lights, drunk driving and a host of other unenforced traffic laws are certainly my business unless I want my blood and guts scattered on the road.

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I agree with you on all the other things that make driving here hazardous. It is a far departure from the organized driving in the west.

To just enforce helmets and seat belts here is absurd. How about basic road safety? How about staying on your own side of the road?

If they don't want to wear helmets I don't care. If I don't wear a helmet I don't want anyone forcing me to either.

Mate of mine was stopped and got a ticket in the UK for wearing one of those (then) 100 baht helmets.

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Originally Posted by beazalbob69

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Originally Posted by Norton

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Originally Posted by beazalbob69

It's none of my business or anybody else including law enforcement.

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I tend to agree as it relates to seat belts and helmets but those are but 2 examples. Speeding, ignoring red lights, drunk driving and a host of other unenforced traffic laws are certainly my business unless I want my blood and guts scattered on the road.

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I agree with you on all the other things that make driving here hazardous. It is a far departure from the organized driving in the west.

To just enforce helmets and seat belts here is absurd. How about basic road safety? How about staying on your own side of the road?

If they don't want to wear helmets I don't care. If I don't wear a helmet I don't want anyone forcing me to either.

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I think a helmet is a basic safety device for when things go wrong, but if you're going to wear one, either forced or through common sense, then invest in one that's designed and built to do what it's supposed to.

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Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

If he didn't want to wear his helmet that's his choice just as many in the US don't.

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No it isn't. It's against the law here and the choice of the stupid in the United States of Stupidity.

What is needed is a proper police force in Thailand, not a bunch of thieving kunts in uniforms. A bit of education wouldn't go amiss either.

Plus stringent motor cycle and car tests .

I agree with freedom of choice to not wear a helmet, but if not, in the event of an accident don't expect to be catered to unless you literally have the cash in your pocket to pay for it.

Once followed a motorcycle, dad, mom and her baby in the arms.

The towel wrapping the baby got in the chain of the bike, the rest was a scene my wife has seen and i never wanted to know more about.

I was in no way involved on the other lane and pursued my way.

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Originally Posted by piwanoi

Just spend 30 minutes on any intersection and see how many Thai Motorcyclists actually know the correct procedure for making a simple right hand turn

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I know we all have a good go at them, but step back a pace: where do they learn the correct procedure? Most learn by watching others and with no-one really being taught correctly habits are picked up that are strange to the outside observer. This cutting-the-corner-trick is carried out by everyone and his buffalo whether on a motorcycle, pick-up or ten-wheeler. It still drives me nuts when I see it, as does being on the wrong side of the road when turning right at a T-Junction, which prevents someone from turning into that junction...DOH!

The wife's reaction to Thai driving, after 18 months in Europe, was quite colourful now she has had her eyes opened to how driving there is so much safer. We did a couple of reasonable trips (200ish Km each) during the NY days that required more than a little defensive driving to accomplish without incident. Coming over the brow of a hill to see 6 cars strewn across the road in front of us in varying degrees of devastation and before the bodies were removed was enough to ensure that concentration remained in overdrive throughout, which makes it very tiring.

On the plus side, I was stopped at road blocks 8 or 9 times during our stay without any attempt at getting the 200 baht. Produced International driving licence and it was a smart salute and on my way.

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Originally Posted by beazalbob69

If people want to put themselves and their children in danger I say let them. It's none of my business or anybody else including law enforcement

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Well now, you've said a mouthful there...

Of Course JJ most people concur with everything you write including myself ,however acts of blatant stupidity on the roads are not strictly exclusive to Thailand are they !!, I I wet my shorts watching this :rofl:https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/emb...SntGGm8U?rel=0

Here is another one , this time from Russia ,Второй день рождени� - YouTube