Footage of the accidents, which occurred on the northbound lanes of the notorious Maphrao bends on Thepkrasattri Rd in Mai Khao on Monday (Aug 15), has gone viral after being posted on various websites including YouTube and Facebook by a Kusoldhram rescue worker based in Thalang.
The recording, which started being taken at around 2:10pm on Monday, first showed the driver of a red Mazda 2 lose control of her vehicle on the first of two Maphrao bends before crashing into an electricity pylon.
Then, just over one hour later, at 3:25pm, and while passersby and rescue workers were helping the victim of the first accident, a Honda CRV also lost control on the very same bend, slamming into the back of the already badly damaged Mazda and quickly dispersing the many people who had gathered to help the first victim.
Luckily there were no reports of injuries from either of the accidents. However, Kusoldharm rescue workers had to stay at the scene to warn oncoming motorists to slow down and proceed with caution.
After being shown footage of the accidents, Phuket Highways Office Director Patiwetwuttisak Sukkhee pointed out that the road where the accidents occurred has two bends within a short distance.
About one kilometre before the first bend is a traffic sign warning drivers to reduce speed to 60km/h. At the bend is a second sign advising drivers to reduce speed to 30km/h.
“At the Maphrao bends we have put up a lot of traffic signs to warn drivers about the road. The speed limit is set for 60km/h. New drivers must follow the traffic laws and pay attention to these traffic signs.
“Those who already know this route well often go above the limit and drive through the curves at speeds of up to 80km/h,” Mr Patiwetwuttisak said.
“The two vehicles involved in the accidents on Aug 15 are clearly driving above 80km/h, which caused the drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
“When we looked at more footage from this area we discovered there are many accidents; 85 per cent of drivers hit these bends while travelling faster the speed limit,” he added.
He continued: “We will put up more signs and put speed reducers in place so people cannot drive so fast. This should help reduce the numbers of accidents.
“In future it is possible that we will increase the radius of the bend or make the road higher, but we have to study the environmental and community effects if we are going to change anything,” he said.
“For now, all drivers must strictly follow the laws for their own and the safety of others,” concluded Mr Patiwetwuttisak.
Mai Khao resident Sulaiman Kaewngamdee, who lives close to the area where the accidents occurred said, “Before you get to the bend the road is straight so most drivers go very fast, but when they reach the bend it is often too late to slow down.
“I’ve seen many vehicles lose control at this spot,” he said.
“Most people involved in these accidents are not from the area, they do not know this route and often care less about the traffic signs. In fact, sometimes accidents happened because vehicles try to take over each other in this very area,” he added.