PHUKET: Latest figures for Phuket's road toll and drownings show that Phuket had a remarkably low number of fatalities in September.
There were just five deaths on Phuket's roads - the lowest monthly toll for 2011 so far - and one drowning, according to Phuket's Public Health officials.
While the death toll on the roads was low - most often the figure is 10 or more - there were 1248 injured who required treatment in Phuket hospitals. Some of these injuries are life-crippling, and most involve motorcycles.
Many people on Phuket are forced to take a risk riding motorcycles because the high fares demanded by Phuket's taxis and tuk-tuks leave them without safer public transport as an option.
The figure of five deaths for September this year compares with 16 in the same month in 2010 and nine in 2009. Three-quarters of the way through the year, the roads death toll for Phuket totals 91 so far compared to 101 in 2010 and 122 in 2009.
The steady slide in the number of deaths is attributed to increases in the number of people wearing helmets, better road signage and road-building, and regular checkpoint crackdowns. Scores more lives would be saved with the introduction of an efficient low-cost public transport system across Phuket.
There was just one drowning reported on Phuket in September, the same number as last September. The figure for September 2009 was five drownings.
Drownings for 2011 on Phuket so far total 26, two more than at the same stage in 2010 but well down on the 47 drownings reported to the same point in 2009.
Phuketwan supports Mothers or Motorcycles (MoM), an action group that aims for better road safety and greater awareness of the need for public transport.
There were just five deaths on Phuket's roads - the lowest monthly toll for 2011 so far - and one drowning, according to Phuket's Public Health officials.
While the death toll on the roads was low - most often the figure is 10 or more - there were 1248 injured who required treatment in Phuket hospitals. Some of these injuries are life-crippling, and most involve motorcycles.
Many people on Phuket are forced to take a risk riding motorcycles because the high fares demanded by Phuket's taxis and tuk-tuks leave them without safer public transport as an option.
The figure of five deaths for September this year compares with 16 in the same month in 2010 and nine in 2009. Three-quarters of the way through the year, the roads death toll for Phuket totals 91 so far compared to 101 in 2010 and 122 in 2009.
The steady slide in the number of deaths is attributed to increases in the number of people wearing helmets, better road signage and road-building, and regular checkpoint crackdowns. Scores more lives would be saved with the introduction of an efficient low-cost public transport system across Phuket.
There was just one drowning reported on Phuket in September, the same number as last September. The figure for September 2009 was five drownings.
Drownings for 2011 on Phuket so far total 26, two more than at the same stage in 2010 but well down on the 47 drownings reported to the same point in 2009.
Phuketwan supports Mothers or Motorcycles (MoM), an action group that aims for better road safety and greater awareness of the need for public transport.
Totally agree with public transport, it is time it was introduced. Taxis and tuk-tuks charge so much.This will cripple phuket, if it does not stop. After visiting Phuket last week,and needed to take taxis all the time, it was very expensive.One of the things I did notice was the big sign with a Helmet on it. I reckon it must read Helmets must be worn, it was only in Thai. I think it would be a very good idea to put it in English as well. Most people reed English, and more of them. Phuket still has a long way to go for its road safety. I also notice a police officer talking to a motorbike ride with a helmet on. Next to him was a ride who did not have a helmet on, and the offices did nothing. After all the work that has gone into bring in the safe Helmet campaign. This is not good policing.
Monica (MoM)
Posted by Monica on November 2, 2011 12:18