Thailand is known to be one of the most unsafe countries worldwide when measured by the proportion of people who die in a road traffic accident. In its most recent global report (2018), the WHO ranks Thailand as the number 9 country with the highest road traffic death rate, with 32.7 deaths per 100,000 population (2018). Consistently in the past years, about 20,000 (or even more) people have lost their lives in road traffic accidents every year. Thousands more are injured, often disabled for the rest of their life. Approximately 75% of the victims are users of 2- and 3-wheelers, mainly motorcyclists, and most are young people in the age groups between 15-29 years.
But since 2020, the statistics started to look better. Whereas in 2019, 19,904 deaths were reported, the number decreased to 17,983 in 2020, and to 16,494 in 2021. People started asking whether Thailand had finally turned the page, whether road safety was finally improving.
Sadly, it turns out that this was not the case. In recent months, the number of deaths in traffic has increased again, bringing the burden back to levels similar to those in 2019. This coincides with a resumption of normal life, after restrictions that had been imposed to deal with the COVID19 pandemic were lifted. During much of 2020 and 2021, many people reduced their movements, resulting in less traffic and less accidents. That period seems to be over now, and unfortunately, people have also returned to their normal unsafe driving habits.
We know what the main causes of accidents are: motorcyclists not wearing a helmet, people drinking and driving, and speeding. These three risk behaviours, often combined, make traffic dangerous for both the drivers and the passengers, but also for pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. The International Health Policy Program, Thailand, has calculated that if everyone (driver and passenger) uses a helmet, 6,984 deaths can be prevented annually and the overall death rate due to traffic accidents can be reduced by a third. Similarly, drunk driving causes 5,529 deaths annually, or roughly 28% of all traffic deaths. If people would wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, and they would not drive after drinking alcohol, over 60% of the lives currently lost on the roads could saved. Two simple actions. Over 12,000 deaths averted every year. It is as simple as that.
This means that making Thailand’s roads safer is something we can all contribute to. Don’t get on a motorcycle without a helmet, and if you often use a motorcycle taxi, bring your own helmet. When partying, make sure one person in the group is the designated driver who does not drink. When on the road, stick to the speed limits. Simple measures that we can all do. Measures that we MUST all do. Of course, authorities can do more to improve road infrastructure, pass legislation to make roads and vehicles safer, or enforce the implementation of existing rules and regulations. But improving our safety on the roads does not mean we have to wait for others to step in. If we change the way we behave in traffic, many people’s lives will be saved. Including possibly your own and that of a loved one. And we can – together – reach the nation’s goal of reducing road traffic deaths to less than 12 per 100,000 people by 2027.
Think about this as you celebrate the New Year. And do what you must do. Wear a helmet. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drive too fast. Happy 2023 to all people in Thailand.