Wrong Way Driver - One dead

Post by **parrot** » September 21, 2012, 6:07 pm

On 19 Sept, a foreigner was involved in a collision at the entrance to the horse race track in NongKhonKwang (หนองขอนกว้าง), Udon. According to the police investigation, the Toyota sedan driven by the foreigner was driving the wrong way (against the arrow) at the entrance when he collided with an oncoming motorcycle which was traveling at a fast rate. The 16 year-old motorcycle driver died as a result of the collision.

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_news.php? ... B5TUE9PQ==

Post by **trubrit** » September 21, 2012, 6:12 pm

A fuller rteport in another paper lists him as a German making a forbidden U turn.

Post by **FrazeeDK** » September 21, 2012, 10:15 pm

I would surmise since the report does say Nitayo Road (Rte 22) the German was doing like most folks going to the races. He probably was coming from the city and attempting to turn right and cut diagonally across oncoming traffic onto Soi Rung Reuang that leads to the track.. This is constantly done on race day and indeed the U-Turn at that location has a big sign for the Sanam Maa posted.. Anyone traveling into Udon on race days has to contend with this hazard and I'm sure accidents happen regularly.

Post by **kjellsnell** » September 22, 2012, 4:51 pm

I did not.......i follow the law!

Post by **hermajesty** » September 23, 2012, 8:26 am

How terrible for everyone involved.
I am not sure which is worse; to be on a moto or in a car. Driving here can be nerve wracking for sure.

There's a horse race track??

HM

Post by **papaguido** » September 23, 2012, 9:09 am

hermajesty wrote:How terrible for everyone involved.
I am not sure which is worse; to be on a moto or in a car. Driving here can be nerve wracking for sure.

There's a horse race track??

HM

Yes, click on image...

Post by **hermajesty** » September 23, 2012, 2:00 pm

Yes, click on image...

[/quote]

Thank you!!

Post by **Bandung_Dero** » September 23, 2012, 4:24 pm

kjellsnell wrote:I did not.......i follow the law!

I assume the OP is referring to you and obviously English is not your 1st language.

A terrible situation to be in for sure, please keep us up to date with proceedings and I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing you all the best for a legitimate and law abiding outcome.

Post by **Mosquito** » September 23, 2012, 4:41 pm

Indicated date of accident was the 19th Wednesday, no races on Wednesday. They do train and exercise the horses on Wednesday, and maybe even do the draws for the weekend races.

I often do the cut across and maybe 10 meters of wrong way driving, but it's a straight away and easy to see on-coming traffic (not that it matters in Thailand).

Yes, there is horseracing in Udon. Normally on Saturday, starting at 1230 w/ 10 races running and anywhere from 5-9 horses (that have seen better days) running.

Post by **Asiaphile** » September 23, 2012, 6:04 pm

Mosquito wrote:I often do the cut across and maybe 10 meters of wrong way driving, but it's a straight away and easy to see on-coming traffic (not that it matters in Thailand)

Well, I guess it's about time Udon starts adopting the Pattaya measure:
http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/ ... on-caught/

Post by **parrot** » September 23, 2012, 6:32 pm

Not related to this particular accident, but another spot where wrong-way drivers can be hazardous to your well-being: As you're heading from Global going toward Big-C, there's a turnaround about 100meters before HomePro. The sign (in Thai) says, no driving against the flow of traffic. It's quite common to see cars disregard that sign and cut into the Home Pro parking lot. I've never seen a cop stop anyone, but I believe the sign says the fine is 500 Baht.
I don't remember exactly what the sign says, but I know it starts off with [color=#FF0000]ห้ามย้อมศร[/color]
which mean 'driving against the flow prohibited'

Post by **Panty Hamster** » September 23, 2012, 7:09 pm

If they don't cut across and drive against traffic for 100m, they have to go all the way down to the Nong Bua intersection to turn around. That's a good four minutes and 3 baht worth of fuel.

The safety of your family and vehicle, and other drivers and their property and disregarding Thai traffic law is such a small price to pay for such an outrageous inconvenience.

Post by **pienmash** » September 23, 2012, 10:40 pm

In general its so common to see motor bikes , cars and even large trucks driving against the flow of traffic on the wrong side of the carrageway , on the hard shoulder rather than drive and do a proper u turn ,,,, its hardly noticeable to most Thais ,, when im in the car with the missus i curse n swear at these idiots and she just doesnt get it ,,, same as red light jumpers i hate the buggars ,,is their time so precious they risk kiling innocents for 20-30 seconds inturn causing traffic chaos by blocking the intersection .

makes my blood boil .

Post by **Khun Paul** » September 24, 2012, 8:53 am

So for few pence in saving a death has occurred, Thais do it with impunity and most get away with it, personally I'd rather spend a few baht rather than the thousands this man will now have to pay. RIP to the victim.

Post by **Asiaphile** » September 24, 2012, 12:33 pm

^Having to pay a few thousand bahts in recompensation would be the least of my worries.
Having an innocent person’s death weighing heavily on my conciousness for the rest of my life would be my major concern!