Tough new measures to cut Thai road toll by 50%

Tough new measures to cut Thai road toll by 50%

A swathe of new measures being introduced next year aim to reduce the death toll among motorcyclists by 50% a year.

These include raising fines for not having a license by as much as 1000%, introducing more bike lanes and targeting accident black spots.

The death toll from motorcycle accidents in 2017 was 8,900 people reported Daily News.

A committee introduced to look at the problem is ready to recommend measures to the government to slash this by half.

The measures could be in place as early as this year’s New Year celebration.

The committee have looked at riders, vehicles, roads, environmental conditions and laws.

Tough new measures to cut Thai road toll by 50%

They are keen to promote better riding skills, make sure motorcyclists follow road rules and create better awareness of the responsibilities in riding motorcycles.

There are 21 million motorcycles on the roads but only 13 million people have licenses. They target is to make sure everyone has a license and is trained.

In this regard they are especially targeting 15 year olds who can legally ride to school.

They often don’t know they can get a license and can get proper training.

Many roads will be getting bike lanes with wider areas reserved for motorcyclists so that there is greater safety on the roads.

Sarawuth Songsiwilai said that the authorities had been too soft on bikers.

He hopes that the government ministry will approve plans to fine motorcyclists who have no license 5,000 baht up from the present 500 baht.

He believes better training and better awareness will help meet the target of 4,500 road deaths through the period of the next ten years.

Tough new measures to cut Thai road toll by 50%

The government will be considering the proposals through September and October.

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Source: Daily News