Expert warns of older van death risk

Older vehicles are linked to higher risk of death in road accidents, warned an expert on public transport systems, Agachai Sumalee.

Prof Agachai, who has worked for King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, issued the warning after Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob decided to allow public transport operators to continue using vans that are older than 10 years, as long as they pass a safety inspection.

He said the risk of deaths in road accidents involving vehicles more than 10 years old is “very high”.

He cited a study conducted by the United States Department of Transportation, which found drivers and passengers riding in cars that are more than 15 years old are 40% more likely to die in a road accident, compared to those travelling in 10-year-old cars.

“A passenger in an 18-year-old vehicle is 71% more likely to die in an accident than a passenger in a three-yearold vehicle,” he continued.

Following a discussion with public van operators last week, Mr Saksayam announced that van operators who were previously required to replace their vans with newer microbuses by Aug 13 will be allowed to indefinitely delay their fleet upgrade.

The decision is in contrast with the previous government’s policy to replace public vans with larger microbuses to improve passenger safety.

A source in the Transport Ministry had previously admitted the vans currently used by public transport service providers are not suited for daily commuting, as in Japan — where the vans were originally produced — the same vans are only used for transporting goods.

“These vans often do not have easily accessible entrance and exits, as they weren’t designed for mass transportation,” the source said.

The government has yet to respond to criticisms of its move.