BANGKOK, Thailand – Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced a significant measure to reduce vehicular speed limits within Bangkok to 60 kilometers per hour (km/h). The announcement was made on December 25 at the Traffic Technology Center on the second floor of the Bangkok City Hall near the Giant Swing, Phra Nakhon District.
Governor Chadchart stated that Bangkok’s current speed limit of 80 km/h surpasses those of many countries worldwide, where urban limits average around 50 km/h. Countries like the Philippines enforce a 40 km/h limit in cities, while Malaysia caps urban speeds at 90 km/h. Data reveals that reducing the speed to 60 km/h significantly lowers fatality risks during accidents to just 20%, compared to 60% at 80 km/h. Although the current average driving speed in Bangkok already hovers around 50 km/h, this new measure aims to formalize safer limits.
“High-speed driving is a primary cause of fatalities, as seen in tragic cases like Dr. Rabbit’s. By reducing the speed limit to 60 km/h, we can cut fatality rates by threefold,” Governor Chadchart emphasized. He also revealed plans to implement AI-powered traffic cameras to enforce penalties, similar to systems used internationally.
The governor acknowledged the broader impacts of this policy, including legal consequences for violations and the potential for insurance claims to be invalidated. This indirect enforcement is expected to encourage compliance with traffic laws. He further highlighted the immense economic cost of traffic fatalities, which account for about 1% of Thailand’s GDP, and the far-reaching emotional toll on families.
Bangkok is one of the few cities globally that still permits speeds up to 80 km/h in urban areas. Moving forward, the city may consider lowering speed limits even further in specific zones such as schools and communities to minimize accidents and damages.
Improved Urban Safety Initiatives
Governor Chadchart also pointed out that Bangkok has taken various steps to improve road safety, including:
-Installing over 90,000 new streetlights.
-Enhancing visibility at more than 1,000 zebra crossings.
-Addressing accident-prone areas at over 100 locations citywide.
These measures have already contributed to a 9% reduction in accident-related fatalities in Bangkok and a 1% drop nationwide. “The speed limit reduction project is another key initiative that, while not directly solving traffic congestion, will save lives, reduce accidents, and benefit the nation’s economy,” he concluded.
Trends in Traffic-Related Fatalities
Deputy Governor Wisanu added insights into traffic fatality trends from 2021 to 2024:
-Drunk Driving: Fatalities have shown an overall decline, but a slight uptick was observed in 2024, necessitating continued vigilance.
-Speeding: Fatalities from speeding peaked at 268 deaths in 2023 but dropped to 165 in 2024, indicating the initial success of preventive measures.
-Traffic Violations: Fatalities from violations like running red lights have remained steady. Risky behaviors such as sudden lane changes and reckless overtaking often accompany these violations, leading to severe accidents like rear-end or head-on collisions.
The comprehensive plan to enforce speed limits and address risk factors aims to establish safer roads for all Bangkok residents.
