Riding a motorcycle in Thailand is dangerous!
No matter how skilled a motorcyclist you are in your own country, driving in Thailand is a completely different matter.
25,000 people die in motorcycle accidents each year in Thailand.
Before you start thinking it won’t happen to you, understand 25,000 people die each year in motorcycle accidents here each year.
The majority of accidents are not the fault of the motorcyclists and they become victim to unskilled car and truck drivers, many who are unlicensed all across Thailand.
Many foreigners are also unskilled driving a motorcycle at all, many come here and rent a motorcycle and have no license. Combine that with driving on the opposite side of the road from many countries, and the propensity for accidents is greater.
Add in alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, falling asleep at the wheel, and dangerous passing, and the odds increase of having an accident.
There is a difference between puttering around the streets, barely moving along and being out on the open roads at high speeds.
Many accidents also occur at night.
Don’t leave your common sense at home and understand the reasons why 25,000 people die in motorcycle accidents here each year.
- Have the license, insurance and skills to operate a motorcycle.
- Wear a helmet.
- Don’t drive under the influence.
- Stay off high speed roads at night.
- Be a defensive driver on the look out for unskilled local drivers.
- Drive responsibly and safe.