A video demonstration of how slow speeds on narrow residential streets can save lives has been shared 48,000 times on Facebook.
But despite the very widespread viewing of the Bloomberg Philanthropies video the question remains: Will it make any difference to Thai driving behaviour?
The video follows news that the Thai police intend to enforce slower speeds on certain city roads.
Initially several residents are asked what they consider to be a safe speed in residential areas. One says forty but others say 40-50, 60 or even 60-80 “if you are in a hurry.” (Comment:- Therein lies the problem !)
It is shown that the safe stopping distance travelling at 50 kmp/hour is 5.4 metres. Mack Sennett style silent film music helps jolly everyone along before the nitty gritty of the video is reached.
A Toyota driving instructor is seen with several Thai women and a man in the driver’s seat as a cardboard cut out child rushing out is driven straight into at 50 km per hour.
All the drivers are shocked that they could not brake in time and the clear inference is that death is very likely if hitting a pedestrian at that speed.
Then a series of grisly accidents are shown with children and a grandmother and child running into traffic on narrow streets.
The drivers then go along at 30 km per hour and all is well with plenty of time to brake and avoid even hitting the child.
Many cities around the world have speed limits of around 30 km per hour for these very reasons.
As the video says – it will seem slow to the driver, but a life could be saved.
Now will such training help to change Thai driving attitudes and understanding?
Or will people – and especially children – continue to die because drivers are in too much of a hurry?
Times comment:-Speed limits are good as long as they are enforced. However, safety can be radically improved if drivers can keep two small words in their head….”What if?”
(Source:- Thai Visa News)