For the past two decades agencies responsible for achieving better road safety in Thailand have focused efforts on passive measures such as seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws, and on increased enforcement of laws concerning drunk driving. Certain law enforcement measures are given increased emphasis during Song Kran and New Years holidays. The results have been less than satisfactory. Thousands of people are still killed in traffic accidents and millions are injured. Road crashes now rank as the second cause of total national deaths annually. Statistical analysis of the fatality data is often manipulated to make certain programs look effective.

This presentation proposes several measures that will have an immediate effect to reduce the number of accidents and consequently the number of deaths caused by these accidents. The proposed measures target the physical capacity and attitude of drivers. They will cost very little to implement.  Many of the measures are self-enforcing and will require less effort on the part of traffic police.  Implementation of these programs will produce immediate and significant statistical results.

Measure 1: Vision for Safety
Measure 2: Driver Safety Evaluation Program
Measure 3: Work Related Driver and Fleet Improvement Program
Measure 4: Novice Driver Safety Education Program and Licensing
Measure 5: Effective Vehicle Inspection Program

Measure 1: Vision for Safety
This measure emphasizes the role of vision in driving and stresses the driver’s attitude to the importance of his good vision. It is a key program to raise the general awareness of the role ‘seeing and being seen’ plays in driving.
• Driver eye checks are a preliminary requirement.
• Removal of all opaque materials from all glass areas of the vehicle.
• Cleanliness and maintenance of vehicle glass and mirror areas
• Review of motorcycle helmets for vision considerations
• Affects on vision of drugs, alcohol, and drowsiness
• Use of proper vehicle lights for good visibility
• Use of highly visible markers on pedestrians and cyclists
• Understanding line of vision in trucks and buses as a cause of accidents
• Regulation changes required to emphasize the importance of good vision
Measure 2: Driver Safety Evaluation Program
This measure emphasizes the driver’s attitude toward safety as opposed to his knowledge of traffic law. It encourages drivers to learn the correct safe driving strategies and take pride in knowing that they are driving professionally and correctly.
• Importance of self-evaluation and self-concept in driving attitude
• Transferring the culture of ‘politeness’ to driving
• Understanding of strategies for controlling road rage
• Modification of attitude toward speed as a measure of good driving
• Use of evaluation certification as a job-qualification
• Importance of driving record

Measure 3: Work Related Driver and Fleet Improvement Program
85% of all accidents in Thailand involve vehicles being driven for work-related purposes; this measure emphasizes giving additional training and education on driving strategies to personnel whose job involves driving a company vehicle: motorcycle, passenger car, van, truck or bus.
• Company sponsored training programs for all drivers
• Company vehicle inspection and maintenance programs
• Planning for assessment and reassignment of older or impaired drivers
• Special laws for driving company vehicles
• Using “desire for a good job” as an incentive to drive safely

Measure 4: Novice Driver Safety Education Program and Licensing
The current driver licensing methods in Thailand emphasize knowledge of traffic law and ability to operate a vehicle. With nearly 500,000 new drivers entering the transport system each year, the licensing authority has little or no opportunity to train and test driver attitudes for safety. The role of training for safety should be passed to private companies and their certificates considered in the licensing process.
• Promotion of Driver Safety Education as a step toward licensing
• Use of graduated licensing programs for new drivers
• Use of progressive screening of driver safety attitudes
• Laws for remedial training for violators

Measure 5: Effective Vehicle Inspection Program
There is a tendency in Thailand for vehicle owners to modify their vehicles for style and performance, but with little consideration for safety. Vehicle manufacturers, generally speaking, have given engineering consideration to vehicle design. An effective vehicle inspection program should stress maintaining safety.
• Owners and companies should take greater responsibility for the safety inspection of vehicles.
• Insurance companies should provide vehicle inspection as a part of the annual registration process.
• Regulations should be made and enforced to prohibit vehicle modification, especially modifications to motorcycles, public transportation, and trucks.
• Laws on vehicle glass tinting should be clarified and enforced.

Summary:
This is a proposal to shift the focus of driving safety implementation and funding from programs that promote passive measures to ones that address the challenges of driver physical abilities and attitudes. These programs need not be expensive; they depend on the cooperation of drivers, vehicle owners, companies and public officials. The best results will be achieved when drivers begin to take pride in their ability to drive safely.

Like most good educational programs more will be achieved by de-emphasizing the negatives: threats and enforcements, while emphasizing the positives: what you can do to drive well and safely. Advertising can then proudly state that Thai’s are becoming better, safer drivers through education. This proposition is self-reinforcing and eventually self-policing.