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Equal concern on Phuket now about mounting non-motorcycle deaths

Phuket Road Toll: Suddenly Cars Kill, Too

Sunday, May 17, 2009
LATEST road toll figures for Phuket show a spate of deaths involving vehicles other than motorcycles, indicating that speed may be causing more fatalities.

During March and April, 10 people died in non-motorcycle mishaps, six in March and four in April.

There were 15 deaths overall in March and 13 in April, with the total now at 55 for the first four months of the year.

Extrapolation of that figure would mean 165 deaths for the year, an increase on the 136 in 2008, which was a dramatic decrease from more than 200 in 2007.

The rate of injuries from mishaps continues to extract a huge toll on health services and the island's economy, with the total for the first four months of the year already at 5333.

This means more than 40 people a day are being injured, mostly in motorcycle mishaps, a colossal cost to the community.

In November and December combined last year, a total of 13 deaths were recorded on Phuket's roads. So far this year, only January with 11 deaths has been less than the combined toll for those two months.

While weather clearly plays a part in the number of mishaps and deaths, speed is certain to play a greater role, too, largely because improvements in the surfaces and width of roads on Phuket are liable to increase the tendency to speed.

Police on the island seldom if ever make arrests for speeding because they lack the capacity or desire to pursue speedsters and do not have radar guns.

The road toll figures are based on statistics provided to the Public Health Department by Phuket's three public hospitals.

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Good News Phuket's notorious roads may still be unsafe for tourists on hired motorcycles but the number of deaths has reduced dramatically, probably because of safety campaigns.
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Phuket Road Deaths Drop, Drownings Continue
Latest: No lifeguards are manning Phuket beaches because of a gap between contracts, Phuketwan is told. And here are latest official figures on the road toll and accidents on and in the water.
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Bent Motorcycles, Blood on a Sunny Day
Photo Album: The road toll trauma of the Phuket region is no longer reported regularly by the English language press. By chance, we are on the scene soon after motorcycles collide.
Bent Motorcycles, Blood on a Sunny Day

'No Booze Ban' Puts Pressure on Police
Latest Tourists will still be able to drink alcohol during the three-day Songkran festival from April 12-15, and so will locals. A proposed ban has been rejected.
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Comments

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From my observation the deteriorated surfaces on many roads are creating more "near-miss" situations as motorists cross onto the unaffected side of the road (into oncoming traffic) to avoid potholes, bumps or debris on roads - even on main roads.Attention to proper repair of roads should be given immediately to avoid further accidents.

Posted by Anonymous on May 18, 2009 09:26

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"the deteriorated surfaces on many roads are creating more "near-miss" situations" ....very good point.
What about illegal samlors (sidecars) kids riding bikes, locals allowing their dogs to roam freely about and sleeping in the road. Kathu is a prime example of terrible road policing. You can imprison a tourist for swearing but leave kids to drive around on motorbikes without licenses or helmets...even into the school yard. What are the police for !!

Posted by frustrated expat on May 18, 2009 09:57


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