Slam on the brakes

Speed limits are imposed for a good reason, not just to make money. Drivers unfamiliar with the road will not know about hazards they might encounter and also for the protection of other road users.

In most Western countries you don’t find “U-turns” in the outside lane, nor do you find crossroads on a highway as you do here. Also in those countries drivers are required to pass a rigorous test and wear “L” plates until they have done so, must drive with an experienced driver in the front passenger seat and are not even allowed on highways. It takes some people many attempts to pass the test. Much more difficult tests are required to drive trucks, articulated vehicles, liquid tankers and passenger vehicles with more than seven seats.

Overall this makes for a much greater competency of skills, but there are, with the exception of a few miles of German autobahns, speed limits on every road.

If my memory serves correctly the statistics show that the main two causes of accidents on Thailand’s roads are alcohol and excessive speed.

What I do agree with is the complete waste of time the “checkpoints” and “road blocks” are, and in some cases I agree they are a hazard in themselves. Also speed traps do not need to be manned as cameras can do that.

What is needed is for the roads to be patrolled to stop the blatant and constant disregard for all the other traffic laws too. PETER FAIRLESS