Rainy season in Thailand means a break from the world-famous heat and humidity, but it also means increased risk on the road for driving safety. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Thailand has the highest fatality rate from road accidents among all Southeast Asian countries as well as ranking among the highest in the world with an average of 20,000 deaths per year, or about 56 deaths per day 1, emphasizing the importance of driving safely. Keep in mind this number does not take into account non-fatal car accidents, which are likely to number several tens of thousands. With statistics like this and considering Thailand mainly cycles between summer and rainy seasons, it is imperative for drivers to take road safety and their car's condition into their own hands.
So, to help remind drivers and act like a checklist of sorts for safe driving in Thailand, we’ve compiled a list of things drivers should and should not do to avoid road accidents and ensure their driving safety. Another important factor not to forget is to buy motor insurance to protect yourself financially as well as others on the road.
What to avoid to improve driving safety?
▶ Drive at high speeds
With rain comes low visibility and slippery roads that are notorious for throwing car balance off and it is not a mystery that it rains in Thailand all the time. In such conditions, safe driving is crucial for your own well being. Trying to speed is an absolute dead end, as drivers put others, as well as themselves, at risk of major road accidents. Driving slower than usual might make you late for that appointment, but it’s a small price to pay for road safety during the rainy season and maintaining your car's good condition.
▶ Use cruise control
A common feature in today’s vehicles, cruise control is a handy little feature that allows your car to drive at a constant speed. This is useful as you don’t need to manually accelerate and can just enjoy the ride, but this feature should be reserved only for specific traffic conditions and in clear and dry weather. Losing the ability to accelerate and decelerate in the rain is not something you want, even for a few seconds, can prove to be costly, potentially leading to more road accidents.
▶ Panicking behind the wheel
The worst thing to happen on a wet road is losing the ability to think clearly. Keeping a cool head when driving is a skill that develops over time, which is why newer drivers should not be encouraged to drive in the rain or at least do so with the utmost care.
What things to do to improve driving safety?
✔ Check the condition of your car
Double check your car tires and the air pressure, engine, car oil to be sure there is no slow drip and windshield wipers to ensure each part is ready to handle the tough conditions you’ll be putting them through. For example, check if your windscreen wipers still function normally as not using them for prolonged periods and/or leaving them in dry weather can cause the rubber to dry out and become crusty. Ensuring road safety and safe driving starts with a well-maintained vehicle that is optimized to drive in slippery situations.
✔ Turn on your headlights
This should come as a no-brainer. You want your position to be as visible to other drivers as possible and avoid violent car collisions. Moreover, you’ll be able to see the road much better as a result and make better driving decisions. Even if it’s raining during the day, heavy rain can still cause considerable reduction in visibility, especially if the humidity and air temperature is high, you get frontal passage fog which no doubt will affect road visibility.
✔ Buy car insurance
Last but no less important for road safety and personal safety is having good insurance coverage. After all that’s said and done, we cannot accurately predict where and when road accidents will occur. You may remain vigilant on the road, but we don’t know about other drivers, so if you buy car insurance for yourself and your car, it can really help to alleviate cost burdens in the event of the unexpected. A good car insurance policy will not only cover your vehicle in the event of accidents with a third party, but will also provide high sum insured coverage for accidents without a third party and coverage for medical expenses resulting from an accident. Additionally, an extended warranty insurance policy provides that extra layer of protection for your car and is a safeguard against any unforeseen car breakdowns that are unrelated to an accident. The extended warranty plan includes a 100% genuine car parts guarantee for coverage of up to 119 car part components and a customizable coverage plan that allows drivers to pick a plan most suitable to them to drive with peace of mind.
@mrkumka
