Tragic consequences of running red lights

The tragic consequences of running red lights. This footage was taken by CCTV at busy intersections in Udon Thani. Hundreds of people are killed each year in Udon Thani running red lights.

I must say I am not surprised ,in part I blame the insurance companies here, they do not seem to penalise the offender or in the case of a fatality not pay out the death benefit.

Although I would think many Thai families would not like not being paid, if a stupid error had been caused by the victim in time it would make them think ( hopefully) that if it is your fault the death benefit would not be paid.

Lkewise repair claims always seems to be paid by the car insurance not the bikes ( not that they have any), following on from my accident a few years ago, the motorcyclist aasked me for the money to pay my insurance company for the repair to my truck he caused, or else he would go to prison, needless to say I did not pay and he went to prison.

We are current;ly in the 21st century with regard tio traffic but Thais still seem to think 19th century thoughts about traffic, the man with the red flag has long gone but then only 20 years ago Thailand had 70% less vehicles and their licencing and testing has not changed since then. It shows!!!!

I think the judiciary don't help. Last week I was in Udon Criminal court. I entered the court room a bit early just as the judge was summing up the previous case . A death by drunk driving .He was saying how serious he viewed the offence and would issue a sentence of two years imprisonment So far so good . He then went on to say."In view of your previous good record , and your admission of guilt, plus your offer to pay 60,000bht compensation to the victims family. I will keep you in the court cell for an hour while the money is transferred, after which you will be free to go, but if you commit a similar offence in the two year period, this sentence will be applied in full "
No mention of banning him from driving, in fact obviously expecting him to otherwise how could he commit another similar offence ?Back on the road after lunch presumably .

There is more to it. Look closely at the video examples and you will see typical stupid (deathly) thai driving style. They don't look. They even ignore what is exactly in front of them. And they NEVER BRAKE to avoid the collision!

Some of these situations would not have happened to a farang (us) as we would have drove around the intruder or just brake before something happens.

Not so the typical Somchai... Banzai style all day...

Those images keep coming back, fixed on my retina. What horrifies me the most is not that people jump (run??) the red light, but the fact that, as already mentioned, they don't bother to look left nor right. Just can not cope with that.
If you jump a light, you would expect to at least watch out very well. All of these accident were easily avoidable.

Anyway, a reminder that I need to be even more vigilant...

I always get an international driving permit.i come to udon every year and rent a 2 wheeler.But what i've been hearing in the last couple of weeks,I think i shoule maybe reconsider.Maybe use samlors or tuk tuk's.

Udon Thani has the worst drivers I've ever seen.

Udon Thani has the worst drivers I've ever seen.

Nope my worst experience ever was driving round the Arc de triumph, ( I believe correct spelling) in Paris, I somehow got into the inside lane and was there for at least 10 minutes just going around and around, never again will I drive in Paris.

At least in Thailand you KNOW, Thai drivers are shortsighted, illogocal, uncaring, and even stupid, and you can take precautions or at least try too.

Many people get a buddhist tattoo which is supposed to protect them from getting injured. Of course there are the buddha amulets also...

There was this news from Pattaya some weeks ago. A known actress used her car as a lawnmower and ended up with the car upside down. She got out of the car unharmed and stated it was her very special tattoo that protected her. Dont know to what extent thai people really believe in these tattoos but it makes one wonder.
Im not trying to make fun of the people who got hurt in this video. The tattoo thing is a fact. Soldiers In Thailand also get tattoos so they will not get injured in combat.

Also it amazes me how it can be possible to go trough intersections at those high speeds. Sometime traffic jams are a blessing, the hotheads cant get up to speed.

That video was eye opening. Thank you "ing_udon" Tonight it helped me to control myself and not follow the idiots that are jumping the red lights. Not worth saving a few seconds to take a chance of being ploughed 100 feet down the road.

Thai people are extremely superstitious. Almost all believe in ghosts. That is not a good indication for their ability to reason critically Anyway, typical, these beliefs help maintain the status quo, same as any other place on this planet. Seems those tattoos may be causing a lot of deaths.

Khun Paul wrote:

Udon Thani has the worst drivers I've ever seen.

Nope

Are you suggesting Udon Thani doesn't have the worst drivers I've ever seen? Are you clairvoyant?

compulsory for people to watch videos like this as part of the driving licence procedure.

i agree, excellent idea, now if we can only get people to actually get a license.

did you all notice one part of the video, the funeral, dates born/died.......15 yrs old, maybe. the love of the parents, send JR out on a death machine. gee, wonder why it's illegal for a youngster that has nor regard, not experience, no common sense........hey, i was the same, but my parents wouldn't even let me have a mc when living in their house, and wasn't dumb enough to buy one till 27, as i know i'm an idiot driver, speed kills, and not just the pills.

i think anyone who lets their children drive a mb without being license, shouldn't be allowed to cry at their funeral, but should be allowed to stay in the monkey house free of charge, for neglect. i don't even like my loved ones on one, unless i am driving.

Just yesterday I was downtown on my bike. Stopped at a red light and in the lane next to me was a Phat-Phuck-Falang on a motorbike. He was driving (with helmet on), his Thai sweety on the back (with helmet) and a small boy 'standing' in front (a step-thru type bike) about the age of my little girl ( a little less than 2). The boy had NO helmet. He shouldn't have been on the mb to start with!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrr

It's not just the Thai that do foolish things on the roads here.

Idiot.

Ok I feel better now.