ROAD CARNAGE WILL CONTINUE

Your leader column on March 24 contrasts with commentary, written by Ploenpote Atthakor on the opposite page.

As a part time resident of Hua Hin, for six months of every year, I take issue with some of the points raised in the Editorial.

Clearly it is self evident that “imposing harsher penalties ALONE will not work”.

For example: Education of children in road safety will improve the situation for future generations of road users.

But harsher penalties will improve the situation.

As 75% of road accidents in Thailand involve motorcycles and, in my experience, driving in Hua Hin and its surrounding countryside, more than 50% of the people riding motorcycles do not wear helmets. Stricter enforcement of the existing regulation on wearing of helmets would quickly reduce the number of deaths in this category of road user. How to enforce the regulations? Only two obvious methods. Cameras at many road intersections and more police officers patrolling the roads at all times, armed with cameras.

Why does the editorial say this is impossible?

And as for penalties: A heavy fine for a first offence — 5,000 or 10,000 baht is not negligible for most motorcyclists. Driving licence suspension (six months?) for a second offence with confiscation of the motorbike. And 30 to 90 days in the slammer for a third offence.

Similar measures can be taken to ensure that a maximum of two people only are on a moving motorcycle. I’m sure someone can beat the worst example that I have seen?

Mum, dad, three kids under the age of 10 and a dog, all on the same bike riding down Soi 88 in Hua Hin.

I was pleased to see that Khun Ploenpote’s article closely mirrors my own opinion. Her final paragraph states: “I simply hope that the authorities stringently enforce existing laws. Without any compromise.”

According to my cynical Thai wife, there will be pink snow in Hua Hin before that happens. Rampant corruption!

So maybe we all have to accept that there will be no change for the better despite the general’s invoking of Section 44.

Take care. It’s dangerous out there on these Thai roads. David Andrew Ritchie