Bangkok: Not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will now attract heavy fines as part of the government’s intensified efforts to reduce road accidents by 100%. The initiative is driven by alarming statistics, with over 17,000 deaths per year, translating to approximately three fatalities every two hours.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak emphasized the government’s commitment to road safety, particularly in preventing motorcycle-related accidents, a leading cause of injuries and deaths annually. A report by the Department of Disease Control revealed that between 2020 and 2024, there were 87,142 deaths from road accidents, averaging 17,428 annually. Alarmingly, 80% of these fatalities involved motorcycles. In 2024 alone, 14,144 out of 17,477 road accident deaths were due to motorcycle incidents, equivalent to three deaths every two hours.
Data from the Health Data Center (HDC) medical data warehouse of hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health showed that in 2022, 1,060,566 individuals received treatment for road accident-related injuries. This included 212,271 inpatients and 848,295 outpatients, incurring medical expenses of 7,827,980,864 baht annually, with motorcycle accidents accounting for 80% of these expenses.
Mr. Anukul further reported that the Department of Disease Control’s injury surveillance system found that from 2020 to 2024, 84% of motorcycle drivers and passengers admitted to hospitals were not wearing helmets. Those without helmets were eight times more likely to sustain head injuries compared to helmeted individuals. Parents are advised to ensure children’s helmets are properly fitted and secured, and to maintain cautious driving speeds between 30-50 kilometers per hour. It’s also recommended to check children’s clothing and belongings and avoid mobile phone use while driving. Children should hold the driver’s waist firmly for safety during the journey.
The government has tasked all relevant agencies with promoting helmet use, enforcing laws through warnings and fines, and conducting awareness campaigns to enhance public understanding of road safety. Mr. Anukul highlighted that wearing a helmet is crucial in mitigating the severity of injuries and fatalities in road accidents, especially for motorcyclists. He advised choosing full-face helmets meeting the TIS 369-2557 standard, ensuring the chin strap is properly fastened, and replacing any damaged helmets.