PHUKET: The six most dangerous stretches of road on Phuket have been named as authorities finally recognise that the number of deaths and injuries on the island is too great and must be reduced.
The six places nominated in the Phuketwan horror list record at least two crashes a month, according to Road Department officials.
They are:
1. the road over Patong Hill
2. the Patong to Kamala coast road
3. Kata Hill from Chalong Circle
4. the Ko Ean Curve in Thapkasattri Road
5. The coast road between Karon and Patong
6. The sharp curve in the Thepkasattri Road-airport route
Phuket has become one of the most dangerous provinces in Thailand because of the failure of authorities to pursue year-long road safety campaigns.
In April 2012, the Phuket Public Health department ceased releasing monthly updates on the number of road deaths and injuries on the holiday island.
An innovative campaign to put motorcycle helmets on the heads of all Phuket schoolchildren was allowed to lapse.
A new campaign is about to start against drink-driving - which is certainly the cause of many of the deaths among expats and tourists who hire motorcycles but are never told in bars that they've had too much to drink to be allowed on a motorcycle.
What's required is an awareness campaign in schools and among learner drivers and riders to make the dangers more plain and to teach people how to drive defensively.
The improvement to Phuket's roads has allowed driver to go faster in the dangerous sections, as well as in the safer sections.
Phuketwan has yet to be able to confirm that a figure of 280 deaths on Phuket's roads for 2014 is accurate.
Such a shocking figure would certainly account for Phuket being rated among the least safe provinces in Thailand but it would appear to be unusually high, even by Phuket standards.
The number of deaths is accompanied by unacceptable levels of injuries, many of them permanent, that have a knock-on emotional and economical effect, as well as tying up precious health and hospital resources.
Death toll figures Phuketwas has for recent years on Phuket are as follows:
2007: 201
2008: 136
2009: 153
2010: 137
2011: 119
2012: 111
2013: 124
2014: 280 (unconfirmed)
2015: 103 (first six months)
Education and enforcement are plainly the answers that Phuket needs to reduce its road deaths and injuries.
Phuketwan has also suggested banning the most dangerous vehicles. The island would be better off being a minivan only province - except for inter-provincial bus services.
All buses should be banned and the use of trucks should also be further restricted to non peak periods.
The six places nominated in the Phuketwan horror list record at least two crashes a month, according to Road Department officials.
They are:
1. the road over Patong Hill
2. the Patong to Kamala coast road
3. Kata Hill from Chalong Circle
4. the Ko Ean Curve in Thapkasattri Road
5. The coast road between Karon and Patong
6. The sharp curve in the Thepkasattri Road-airport route
Phuket has become one of the most dangerous provinces in Thailand because of the failure of authorities to pursue year-long road safety campaigns.
In April 2012, the Phuket Public Health department ceased releasing monthly updates on the number of road deaths and injuries on the holiday island.
An innovative campaign to put motorcycle helmets on the heads of all Phuket schoolchildren was allowed to lapse.
A new campaign is about to start against drink-driving - which is certainly the cause of many of the deaths among expats and tourists who hire motorcycles but are never told in bars that they've had too much to drink to be allowed on a motorcycle.
What's required is an awareness campaign in schools and among learner drivers and riders to make the dangers more plain and to teach people how to drive defensively.
The improvement to Phuket's roads has allowed driver to go faster in the dangerous sections, as well as in the safer sections.
Phuketwan has yet to be able to confirm that a figure of 280 deaths on Phuket's roads for 2014 is accurate.
Such a shocking figure would certainly account for Phuket being rated among the least safe provinces in Thailand but it would appear to be unusually high, even by Phuket standards.
The number of deaths is accompanied by unacceptable levels of injuries, many of them permanent, that have a knock-on emotional and economical effect, as well as tying up precious health and hospital resources.
Death toll figures Phuketwas has for recent years on Phuket are as follows:
2007: 201
2008: 136
2009: 153
2010: 137
2011: 119
2012: 111
2013: 124
2014: 280 (unconfirmed)
2015: 103 (first six months)
Education and enforcement are plainly the answers that Phuket needs to reduce its road deaths and injuries.
Phuketwan has also suggested banning the most dangerous vehicles. The island would be better off being a minivan only province - except for inter-provincial bus services.
All buses should be banned and the use of trucks should also be further restricted to non peak periods.
"Phuket has become one of the most dangerous provinces in Thailand because of the failure of authorities to pursue year-long road safety campaigns."
Incorrect it is due to the fact there is no public transportation. 24 hour buses put less people on motorbikes and cars. Duh!
Posted by jay on August 30, 2015 02:44
Editor Comment:
Good luck with putting people on public transport when they have motorcycles and cars, jay. Public transport will not improve driving and riding habits, that will only come with education and enforcement. You will be the only one riding the tram.