A bus passenger was killed in a recent accident in Songklah when a double-decker bus overturned. Initial reports blamed bad weather and road conditions but now it appears something rather more worrying may be to blame.
A study by the Thailand Accident Research Centre which showed 80% of the 8,000 double-decker buses in Thailand failed a tile test on a 30-degree slope should serve as more than a mere warning.
The centre also provided scientific information including reconstructing the crash to support its study.
The finding bears out an earlier report that local bus manufacturers do not have sufficient engineering knowledge when making this kind of vehicle. The height, which often exceeds four metres, can make it unstable, which explains why double-decker buses overturn so easily.
The accident research centre, whose slogan is “knowledge saves life,” also revealed the Songkhla incident is the 35th crash involving a double- decker this year.
This means there are nearly 2.9 crashes every month, with many escaping the media’s attention.
The information gathered is a reminder that the state’s attempt to correct the problem of dangerous double-decker buses on the roads is not having much success.
The Prime Minister who apparently was appalled by the frequency of such crashes and high death tolls, in January this year ordered all dangerous double-decker buses off the road.
However,since the PM didn’t use Section 44 of the interim charter to enforce his order, there are still many buses roaming the roads and no-one seems to be able to do much about it.
State officials pointed out that technical problems meant it was not possible to remove the dangerous vehicles immediately.
The new measures apply only to new vehicles, while the owners of old fleets who registered them with the Land Transport Department, can still use the buses until their registration expires — some time in 2020!
According to the study, everyone should be concerned, as the department cannot make the tilt test on a 30-degree slope compulsory.
This is indeed the sad part about law enforcement in Thailand.
It is scientific fact that the vehicles are unsafe, but they are still on the roads because the law allows them to be there. There are claims by tour operators that double-decker buses are in high demand with operators, as they can seat more passengers. The slogan of the accident research centre that “knowledge saves life” is not apparently supported by everyone.
Transport officials promised they would fit the vehicles with GPS tracking systems, so they can monitor drivers’ behaviour and punish those who breach the regulations.
The also promised to ban double-decker buses on certain routes, presumably those with sharp curves and slopes. It begs the question how this ban would be enforced, and by whom. The Songkhla crash shows such bans are totally ineffective.
It’s unclear why the number of double deckers almost doubled from early this year, from 4,800 to 8,000.
The increase is mysterious as allegedly the department is not supposed to register new vehicles.
The festive season, when many revellers go on trips, is approaching. Let’s hope the findings of this report do not come back to haunt those responsible for travellers’ safety.
(Source: Bangkok Post)