safety hints for driving in laos by christa weichert

Safety Hints forSafety Hints forDriving in LaosDriving in Laos

ByByChrista WeichertChrista Weichert

HI FSH HospSurv 04/2005

Hospital Survey 2005Hospital Survey 2005RTA Victims - Breakdown by Age Groups

Men Women No Gender* Total Age Group

Cases % Cases % Cases % Cases %

0 -14 years 28 5.4 12 2.3 0 0.0 40 7.8

15 - 20 years 92 17.8 57 11.0 1 0.2 150 29.1

21 - 25 years 100 19.3 20 3.9 3 0.6 123 23.8 52.9 %

26 - 30 years 49 9.5 13 2.5 0 0.0 62 12.0

31 - 40 years 48 9.3 19 3.7 0 0.0 67 13.0

41 - 50 years 32 6.2 9 1.7 0 0.0 41 7.9

51 - 60 years 17 3.3 4 0.8 0 0.0 21 4.1

older than 60 years 6 1.2 1 0.2 0 0.0 7 1.4

No answer 2 0.4 2 0.4 1 0.2 5 1.0

Total 374 72.3 137 26.5 5 1.0 516 100.0

Hospital Survey 2005Hospital Survey 2005RTA Victims - Breakdown by Age Groups

Men Women No Gender* Total Age Group

Cases % Cases % Cases % Cases %

0 -14 years 28 5.4 12 2.3 0 0.0 40 7.8

15 - 20 years 92 17.8 57 11.0 1 0.2 150 29.1

21 - 25 years 100 19.3 20 3.9 3 0.6 123 23.8 52.9 %

26 - 30 years 49 9.5 13 2.5 0 0.0 62 12.0

31 - 40 years 48 9.3 19 3.7 0 0.0 67 13.0

41 - 50 years 32 6.2 9 1.7 0 0.0 41 7.9

51 - 60 years 17 3.3 4 0.8 0 0.0 21 4.1

older than 60 years 6 1.2 1 0.2 0 0.0 7 1.4

No answer 2 0.4 2 0.4 1 0.2 5 1.0

Total 374 72.3 137 26.5 5 1.0 516 100.0

HI FSH HospSurv 04/2005

Accident VehiclesAccident VehiclesMode of Transport of RTA Victims

3% 1% 1% 2% 4%3%

2%

Motorcycle84%

Motorcycle Tuk-tuk Songtaew Truck Bicycle Pedestrian Pick up No answer

HI FSH HospSurv 04/2005 Graph based on 516 cases

Golden RulesGolden Rules

• Drive with care & courtesy

• Expect the unexpected

• Don’t drink & drive

• Drive slowly

• Don’t be scared – be prepared

ResponsibilityResponsibilityResponsibilityResponsibility

GovernmentGovernmentGovernmentGovernment

TrafficTrafficrulesrules

TrafficTrafficrulesrules

Safe roadsSafe roadsSafe roadsSafe roads

ResponsibleResponsiblebehaviorbehavior

ResponsibleResponsiblebehaviorbehavior

RespectRespectthe rulesthe rulesRespectRespectthe rulesthe rules

EnforcementEnforcementof rulesof rules

EnforcementEnforcementof rulesof rules

Safe vehiclesSafe vehiclesSafe vehiclesSafe vehicles

Road UserRoad UserRoad UserRoad User

Human error is involved inHuman error is involved in 95% 95% of all road traffic of all road traffic

accidents. accidents.

ResponsibilityResponsibilityResponsibilityResponsibility

Traffic lights, which don’t work or wrongly phased

Dangers on the RoadDangers on the Road


• Bricks, pebbles, sand and other debris on the side of the road

• Quickly developing potholes, open sewers

• Animals: dogs, cows, buffalos

Quicklydevelopingpotholes


in the rainy season


• Badly lit roads at night, particularly at intersections

• Badly secured construction sites

• Sudden flooding of roads in the rainy season

Dangers from Other Road UsersDangers from Other Road Users

Don’t drive on the wrong side!Don’t drive on the wrong side!

1

2


Traffic pulling out of side streets withoutstopping or looking


• Oncoming traffic on one-way streets

• Vehicles running red lights

• Dangerous overtaking

• Sudden lane or side changes

Don’t cut corners!Don’t cut corners!


Make a correct left turn!Make a correct left turn!

5

2 1

4

3

6

Correct Left TurnCorrect Left Turn

1.1. Observe the traffic behind you!Observe the traffic behind you!

2.2. Indicate to the left!Indicate to the left!

3.3. Move towards to the middle of the road!Move towards to the middle of the road!

4.4. Stop at the turning point and let pass Stop at the turning point and let pass oncoming traffic, which has priority!oncoming traffic, which has priority!

5.5. Check again behind and on your left side, as Check again behind and on your left side, as somebody might overtake you!somebody might overtake you!

6.6. Make a wide turn!Make a wide turn!

Correct Left TurnCorrect Left Turn

Use the roundabout correctly!Use the roundabout correctly!



• No indication when turning right or left

• Vehicles without lights

• Pedestrians behaving unpredictable and

hardly visible at night

VisibilityVisibility

See & be seenSee & be seen

Use reflective

bands




• Check that all lights are working

• Use lights in rain and at dusk

• Wear light-coloured clothing

• Bicycles should have lights and reflectors


Speed LimitSpeed Limit

Within town limitsWithin town limits

On national roadsOn national roads

Adjust your speed to the road & Adjust your speed to the road & weather conditions!weather conditions!

General RecommendationsGeneral Recommendations

Using the Phone + Driving =Using the Phone + Driving = AccidentAccident


• Aquaint yourself with the traffic rules

and respect them

• Keep your vehicle well maintained

• Use available safety devices

Don’t overload your vehicleDon’t overload your vehicle


Hints for Car DriversHints for Car Drivers

Wear a seatbeltWear a seatbelt

Hints for Car DriversHints for Car Drivers

Hints for Car DriversHints for Car Drivers• Adjust your speed to the conditions & be

always ready to stop

• When overtaking, leave sufficient distance

• Watch out for motorcycles overtaking you while making a left turn

• Don’t use your mobile phone while driving

• Aquaint yourself with the traffic rules

Riding a Motorcycle SafelyRiding a Motorcycle Safely

Front brake

Front light

Mirrors

Tires

Indicator

Chain

Back brake

Rear light


• Do you have a license?

• Do you know the traffic rules?

• Refrain from dangerous driving customs (e.g. wrong side, corner cutting, mobile phone use, queue jumping)


Always wear

a helmet


You are far more vulnerable You are far more vulnerable travelling on two wheels travelling on two wheels

than four!than four!

Always remember:Always remember:

--Pedestrian SafetyPedestrian Safety

Walk on the right side -Walk on the right side -Face the danger!Face the danger!

Pedestrian SafetyPedestrian Safety

• Walk on the LEFT side (facing the danger)Walk on the LEFT side (facing the danger)

• Cross the road the shortest way possible

• At night:

- Wear light-coloured clothing

- Use reflective bands for arms and legs

In Case of an AccidentIn Case of an AccidentPP Protect the scene and yourself!

(to avoid other vehicles crashing into the accident site)

AA Assess the problem!

NN Number of people

II Injuries

CC Call for help!

Emergency NumbersEmergency Numbers

• PolicePolice 191191

• FireFire 190190

• AmbulanceAmbulance 195195

• Friendship HospitalFriendship Hospital 71 00 06 (ext. 102)71 00 06 (ext. 102)• Mahosot HospitalMahosot Hospital 21 40 2321 40 23• Setthathirath HospitalSetthathirath Hospital 35 08 0435 08 04

Thank Thank You Very You Very

MuchMuch

safety hints for driving in laos by christa weichert

Documents

road usersdangers

road usersmake

road userstraffic

road usersoncoming traffic

road traffic accidents

road usersdont drive

road weather conditions

road usersno indication