The plans were discussed during a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Road Safety Centre (PRSC) yesterday (June 9), chaired by Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo at Phuket Provincial Hall.
The meeting reviewed road accident statistics, enforcement efforts, high-risk locations and measures aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries on Phuket’s roads. Particular attention was given to dangerous sections of Phra Baramee Rd, helmet use, drink-driving prevention and reducing motorcycle-related accidents.
Officials also reviewed road safety data compiled from three separate accident databases, enforcement action against the province’s 10 most common traffic offences and progress on district-level road safety plans.
Among the measures discussed were campaigns targeting drink-driving among migrant workers through employers, public awareness programmes highlighting the consequences of road crashes and efforts to improve road safety education among children and young people.
A key focus of the meeting was the province’s ‘Safe & Seamless Phuket’ initiative, presented by Dr Wiwat Seetamanon, which aims to reduce crashes through infrastructure improvements and speed management in urban areas.
According to officials, one of the programme’s most successful projects has been the upgrade of temporary U-turn openings on Thepkrasattri Rd (Route 402), the main Thepkrasattri-Srisoonthorn corridor, into permanent concrete U-turn facilities built to international standards.
Officials explained that the project was launched after a number of U-turn locations along Thepkrasattri Rd were identified as frequent crash sites and sources of traffic congestion.
The improvements, funded by the Safer Roads Foundation (SRF), covered a combined distance of 15.6 kilometres and cost more than B6.2 million.
Data presented at the meeting indicated that no fatalities had been recorded at the upgraded locations during the four months since the improvements were completed. Officials also reported smoother traffic flow during peak periods, average travel times reduced by up to 10 minutes and improved emergency response access, with ambulances and rescue vehicles able to reach affected areas more quickly.
The project forms part of Phuket’s broader adoption of the ‘Self-Explaining Road’ concept, which seeks to encourage safer driving behaviour through road design rather than relying solely on warning signs and enforcement.
Officials said traditional warning signs often depend on motorists noticing and reacting to them, while self-explaining roads use physical design features that naturally influence vehicle speeds and driver behaviour.
Measures already implemented under the programme include raised pedestrian crossings, known as speed tables, mini-roundabouts and lane-narrowing designs intended to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for pedestrians and motorcyclists.
One example highlighted was the installation of a raised crossing outside Vachira Phuket Hospital, where officials said the speed table has improved safety for patients, staff and visitors crossing the road.
The province is now considering expanding the measures to additional high-risk areas, including the Koh Siray Bridge approach, Pattana Rd, Suthat Rd and several roads in Patong, including Thaweewong Rd (the beach road) and Phra Baramee Rd.
Officials noted that similar traffic-calming measures have already been introduced at locations around Phuket, including roads in Phuket Town, Kathu, Thalang and along the Kamala-Patong route.
Future projects will continue to be selected using what officials described as a data-driven approach. Accident records account for approximately 50% of the assessment process, while information from hospitals and other agencies contributes around 30%, with engineering surveys and site assessments making up the remaining 20%.
The PRSC meeting also considered proposals to encourage large employers to provide staff shuttle services in an effort to reduce motorcycle use among workers, a major contributor to Phuket’s road casualty figures.
Other topics included further improvements at dangerous U-turn locations, installation of additional raised crossings and speed tables, and expansion of the province’s PHUKET EYE surveillance project and the "Safe Roads, Safe Lives: One Million Helmets" campaign promoting helmet use.
In a separate road safety meeting held the same day at Phuket Merlin Hotel, officials reviewed progress of the Road Safety Organisation (RSO) programme, which encourages businesses to adopt road safety measures within their operations.
The initiative, organised by the Phuket Provincial Labour Welfare and Protection Office with support from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, has involved 18 businesses participating in programmes aimed at reducing road accident risks for employees both during work and while commuting.
Vice Governor Teeraphong said Phuket remained committed to integrating cooperation across government agencies, businesses and communities to create a stronger road safety culture across the island.
The meeting also endorsed proposals to expand the use of raised pedestrian crossings at other high-risk locations across the province.
"Every life on the road is valuable. Safety is the shared responsibility of all sectors," Vice Governor Teeraphong said stated.
The provincial government will continue pursuing measures aimed at reducing accidents, minimising loss of life and property, and improving safety for both residents and tourists, he added.