Songkran 2013 road-death-o-meter

[Frank Hovis]

Just seen on the news the first Songkran road deaths stats for the 11th April.

Dead - 39
Injured - 342

Be careful out there.

[buksida]

Just driven back from Chumphon and the lunacy is slowly starting to escalate. My advice to anyone needing to use the roads this coming week is stay off Petchkasem highway and use the back-roads whenever possible. There are a lot more police check-points than I have ever seen which is a good thing.

[blackmike]

Really? But in HH I don't find too much cars on the road . Not too much change I mean...

[Big Boy]

Wait until tomorrow.

I've actually put a cover over my car about half an hour ago, and it won't come off until the madness has ended.

[Bristolian]

I drove down from BKK yesterday afternoon. Not too much traffic on the road, mid afternoon, but constant and slower than normal. A heavy thunderstorm suddenly made the journey along Rama II very perilous. There were several accidents, thankfully minor, and the police were setting up their shady places all along the major roads ready for the motorist checks over the long weekend.

Although the police are currently on high road traffic alert and supposedly setting up speed checks the lunatics were out in force and weaving from lane to lane, at high speed, with not a patrol car in site. I was very happy to arrive at my home with my family, without incident. I agree with BB, leave your car at home if you really don’t need to go out and if you do....Be Careful!

[dtaai-maai]

... the lunatics were out in force and weaving from lane to lane, at high speed, with not a patrol car in site.

Just as a matter of interest, has anyone ever been stopped by a patrol car, or seen such a thing happen? The only experience I have is of static speed traps, usually involving a well-camouflaged policeman suddenly stepping into the fast lane.

[PeteC]

... the lunatics were out in force and weaving from lane to lane, at high speed, with not a patrol car in site.

Just as a matter of interest, has anyone ever been stopped by a patrol car, or seen such a thing happen? The only experience I have is of static speed traps, usually involving a well-camouflaged policeman suddenly stepping into the fast lane.

Never. I don't think pursue and stop is in their ops manual. The only time the patrol cars get exercise is when they're escorting a convoy of buses or some vip. Pete

[Bristolian]

I have never seen a police patrol car pull any motorist for any motoring offence. It’s far too comfortable in a nice clean police car, to be rushing around and having to get out of the car to write a ticket or give a warning. Even when there is an accident the patrol guys are nowhere to be seen, the task of cleaning up after an accident is left for the police in pick-ups or police on motorbikes. The patrol cars seem to be for exclusive hire for escort duty, politicians etc.

[Brit Jim]

Wait until tomorrow.

I've actually put a cover over my car about half an hour ago, and it won't come off until the madness has ended.

Same Same!

Batten down the Hatches.

Poor 57 yr old Norwegian died yesterday and GF in a coma in Khon Kaen on his motorcycle. Some idiot ran a RED light and hit him. Makes the blood boil. I must remember GREEN lights in Thailand do not give priority right of way, approach with caution.

Yes be careful very careful.

[Pleng]

Just driven back from Chumphon and the lunacy is slowly starting to escalate. My advice to anyone needing to use the roads this coming week is stay off Petchkasem highway and use the back-roads whenever possible.

That might not be such a good idea if you're on a motorcycle. Those potholes can be treacherous at the best of times, never mind when the road is sodden wet and you have buckets of icy water being thrown at you.

[usual suspect]

The water-battle between the bars on Binta has been full-on this aft!..BUT, when youths on motorcycles come down the street they are riding so fast!..if they do lose control from the air-bourne water they're in hospital for sure..dickheads!

[ste860]

i drove up to chaiyaphon yesterday took 8 hours but i lost count of the accidents must of been well in to double figures and today i saw a bus go of the road and tip upside down ,im sure that there must have been sever injuries it was one of those big buses that run from korat to khon khen it ended up on its roof ,when will the thais realise to not tail gate and leave space between just in case

[usual suspect]

Good to hear you are OK tho' & you made it there.

[buksida]

That might not be such a good idea if you're on a motorcycle. Those potholes can be treacherous at the best of times, never mind when the road is sodden wet and you have buckets of icy water being thrown at you.

I'd rather take my chances with a few potholes than madmen in minivans doing 140kph, besides making lengthy journeys on a motorbike during Songkran really isnt the best of ideas either!

[kendo]

We have just gone half's on a new bike for my eldest stepson my wife has begged him not to ride it over the festivities so for a joke he sent this clip over facebook of the Lijha Crew clip 11



Kendo.