Almost 90% of vehicles do not stop at pedestrian crossings in Bangkok, despite the presence of people and the requirement of traffic rules. This is a disappointing conclusion reached by the authors of a study by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). And pedestrians are ignored not only by drivers of motorcycles, scooters and cars, but also by drivers of public transport. This warning primarily applies to foreign tourists who do not understand the seriousness of the local problem and die en masse under Thai wheels.
The study was conducted from January 25 to 27 in 12 popular and busiest areas across the capital after a fatal car accident that killed a female doctor at a crosswalk in January under the wheels of a motorcycle. Despite extensive media coverage of the incident, 94% of cars still do not stop at the ill-fated intersection.
ThaiHealth Director Rungarun Limlahaphan said on Saturday that the study had tested a total of 14,353 vehicles – 7,619 cars, 6,449 motorcycles and 285 public transport. According to the data received, 89% of road users did not stop to pass pedestrians crossing the road “zebra”. The most vicious offenders were motorcyclists (92%), followed by cars (86%) and public transport (80%).
“Road safety needs everyone’s cooperation. Children also need to be taught this. The pedestrian crossing is designed for pedestrian safety, so motorists must reduce speed when approaching it. We must prevent this incident from happening again, “she added, referring to the tragic death of the doctor.
Last Friday, officials said they would install traffic lights and surveillance cameras at 100 pedestrian crossings and raise fines four times for violators of traffic rules: from 1,000 to 4,000 baht (from 850 to 3,400 hryvnias).
For those who care about a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “Doctors have talked about unhealthy tomatoes on the shelves, from which you can fall into a coma.”