Just over the last week, there have been two fatal accidents on the road involving foreigners.
On May 16, a Finnish man was killed instantly when a Honda CRV smashed into him while he was crossing a road in Rawai.
Witnesses said the victim had visited a friend in the area and when he ran across the road a car came at a high speed from Chalong circle, heading towards Karon, and slammed into him.
Similarly just two days later (May 18) a Swiss expat was killed in a car crash in the early hours when he crashed his pick-up truck into a water truck on Patak Hill in Karon.
Both incidents (and many others involving Thais, such as this one of an old lady run over) raise the all important questions about just how safe our roads are and what should be done to prevent so many fatalities and accidents on the road.
Thailand is renowned for its dangerous roads, and has consistently been ranked in the top five for having the highest number of fatalities (per capita) on the road in the world.
There are a number of problems that contribute to the high number of road accidents in Thailand: namely, poor roads and traffic engineering, the motorists themselves, and a lack of traffic law enforcement.
There have been a few high-profile cases, which also include a number of cyclists being bumped on the road. In February, a Chilean cross-continental cyclist who planned to complete a world record this year was killed when he was hit by a pickup truck in Northeastern Thailand.
In addition, two years ago, two world-famous British cyclists died after being struck by a pick-up truck in a province east of Bangkok. But these are just two fatal examples of the many accidents that happen on Thailand’s roads every day.
Environment is certainly one factor which could change the motorists’ behaviour, however.
See related, the Rash Realities of Phuket Roads opinion and statistics.
If we had more of a police presence on the roads, perhaps people would start to follow the rules and, eventually, their bad driving habits will change.
If firmer punishments are put in place, then perhaps motorists’ will think twice about driving dangerously.
Motorcyclists can also help the situation, perhaps if they protect themselves by choosing to wear a helmet, then maybe some lives will be saved, and not lost.
Also, be sure to vote in our poll about improving Phuket's traffic, click here.