Speed limit hike too risky

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob’s push for a rise in the speed limit on the country’s four-lane roads, from 90 to 120 kilometres per hour (kph) needs a thorough study. The proposed 120kph speed limit, which is to be introduced on a 150km stretch of Highway 32 between Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya and Nakhon Sawan, and some sections of the Mitraphap Highway in the Northeast and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok, is part of his ambitious initiative to improve traffic mobility.

Under the plan, there will be separate lanes for cars travelling at 80kph, 100kph and 120kph on selected highways.

According to Mr Saksayam, a ministerial regulation for the new speed limit is being drafted and will be submitted to the land transport management committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon by the end of this month.

The transport minister claimed his plan has received strong public support, with 71% of respondents endorsing it. He did not mention who the respondents were or how the ministry’s poll was conducted, but it can be presumed that most of the respondents were motorists. It is highly likely the poll left out other road users, like pedestrians who will also be directly affected by the rise in vehicles’ speed.

Educating drivers to adhere to a new system involving lanes with different speed limits will be a real challenge, especially when the roads are busy.

At the same time, some may argue that speed is not necessarily dangerous, especially if and when motorists are well-disciplined. But this is not the case in Thailand.

Lack of road safety awareness among Thai motorists remains an issue while speeding is a major cause of accidents each year. Thailand is still among the worst offenders globally in terms of its traffic-related fatality rate.

The proposed 120kph speed limit may seem moderate when compared to roads in some countries which are designed to facilitate high-speed driving like the Autobahn in Germany where drivers are known for their strong road discipline.

One major problem with higher-speed driving in Thailand is the roads themselves, particularly with regard to their design and condition. Many of the country’s highways have numerous crossings and U-turn spots which would make higher speeds too risky, in part due to a lack of appropriate signage to warn motorists of upcoming hazards.

It should go without saying that Mr Saksayam and ministry officials must pay extra attention to spots that are prone to accidents and work out prevention measures when they introduce the new limits.

More importantly, the speed initiative sheds light on the nightmare of pedestrians and people who live along the highways. The transport minister should also think of these people. It’s a fact that pedestrian footbridges are inadequate, and are not useful for everyone, especially those of advanced age who struggle with using flights of steps as well as navigating a path across a busy road.

Interestingly, under his plan, the speed study results should come by the end of this month, a time when the country usually observes tighter traffic regulations over the “the seven dangerous days” of Christmas and New Year, with an aim to cut back on the seasonal death toll on the roads. It’s a period when the country experiences particularly high fatality rates as all the roads are busy.

So, unless Mr Saksayam has a solid plan to ensure the safety of all road users, the proposal to raise the speed limit should be scrapped.