15.07.2002 Chulalongkorn University and Honda report findings of major motorcycle accident research
Chulalongkorn University and Honda report findings of major motorcycle accident research study
Bangkok, July 15, 2002 --Chulalongkorn University in association with the world-famous Head Protection Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, USA and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. revealed the findings of their research on the topic, entitled Motorcycle Accident Causation and Identification of Countermeasures in Thailand today. Researchers randomly selected a sampling of accidents in Thailand during 1999 2001 and the results indicated that the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents were due to human factors and rider errors. Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul (M.D.) said the objective of the research was to identify the causal factors and potential countermeasures of motorcycle accidents. Researchers randomly selected accidents in Bangkok by observing on-scene, gathering data in Bangkok during December 30,1998 December 29, 1999 and upcountry during March 8 September 15, 2000, involving 1,082 incidents. The research looked at 3 aspects: Human factors vehicle factor and environmental factors. The results indicated that the most frequent cause of accidents was due to the human factor involving rider errors. There were 2 clear errors. Drunk riding was the clearest cause from the accident report. Some 40% of accidents were alcohol related and resulted in improper driving, for example, improper sitting position, using too high speed. These were the two main factors causing motorcycle accidents in Bangkok and upcountry. People who were involved in motorcycle accidents were more than 80% male and aged between 2135 years in Bangkok and between 1835 years upcountry. As for vehicle factors, it was found that engine problems did not often occur. Most of the cases were caused by the vehicle condition, resulting from inadequate maintenance so brakes, lights and mirrors were not in proper working order. There were no reports of any accidents caused by broken motorcycle parts or other manufacturing failures. As for the environmental factors, road design and maintenance were a significant cause of 12.5 per cent of accidents studied in the report. However, this did not cause any serious crashes and occurred especially at night. The results indicated that this could cause some problems to other vehicle riders. This happened in Bangkok and upcountry. According to identified countermeasures, Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul (M.D.) said that the results indicated that proper training for riders was necessary. From 723 accidents involving riders and 2,100 interviewees, there was only one that was trained. There should be a countermeasure to allow only those who have been properly trained to apply for a license, and avoiding drinking alcohol while riding was also very important. As for road design and maintenance, there should be improvements in clear road curve signs especially at night. Moreover, all road signs should be improved and any obstacles blocking a drivers view of the road signs, especially at night, should be removed. Besides, he said a very important factor in the prevention or decrease in the seriousness of any accident was helmet use. From the study, it was found that most serious accident were caused by drivers or passengers not using crash helmets, or using them improperty. For example helmets had no straps so the helmet came off when an accident occurred and could not prevent injuries. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usanee Yodyingyuad, Vice President for Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, said road accident were an important problem in Thailand. She hoped that the research publicity would make society realize the importance prevention. Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Vice President of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said this research was the first such study in Thailand and Honda thinks it was an important study. It was financially supported by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in the amount of Baht 25 million for Chulalongkorn University and Baht 25 million for the Head Protection Research Laboratory. He also said Honda gave a great deal of importance to motorcycle ride safety. Hence, there was a campaign to publicize knowledge about ride safety in Thailand since 1989. Honda established its own safety riding centre which was the first motorcycle ride training centre in Southeast Asia. In addition, he said riding correctly was an important factor in decreasing some accidents but not all. He hoped that the research publicity would make society realize the value of more prevention, and especially that the data from the research should be used as a foundation for setting prevention policies and countermeasures. The Motorcycle Accident Causation and Identification of Countermeasures in Thailand study was jointly undertaken by Chulalongkorn University and the internationally recognized Head Protection Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, USA and financially supported by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. It started in 1998. The Leader of this project was Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul, (M.D.), who is presently a lecturer at the faculty of pharmacology, Silapakorn University. After the research ended, Chulalongkorn University and Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will together publicize the research results in order to make use of the data to develop countermeasures.
Chulalongkorn University and Honda report findings of major motorcycle accident research study
Bangkok, July 15, 2002 --Chulalongkorn University in association with the world-famous Head Protection Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, USA and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. revealed the findings of their research on the topic, entitled Motorcycle Accident Causation and Identification of Countermeasures in Thailand today. Researchers randomly selected a sampling of accidents in Thailand during 1999 2001 and the results indicated that the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents were due to human factors and rider errors. Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul (M.D.) said the objective of the research was to identify the causal factors and potential countermeasures of motorcycle accidents. Researchers randomly selected accidents in Bangkok by observing on-scene, gathering data in Bangkok during December 30,1998 December 29, 1999 and upcountry during March 8 September 15, 2000, involving 1,082 incidents. The research looked at 3 aspects: Human factors vehicle factor and environmental factors. The results indicated that the most frequent cause of accidents was due to the human factor involving rider errors. There were 2 clear errors. Drunk riding was the clearest cause from the accident report. Some 40% of accidents were alcohol related and resulted in improper driving, for example, improper sitting position, using too high speed. These were the two main factors causing motorcycle accidents in Bangkok and upcountry. People who were involved in motorcycle accidents were more than 80% male and aged between 2135 years in Bangkok and between 1835 years upcountry. As for vehicle factors, it was found that engine problems did not often occur. Most of the cases were caused by the vehicle condition, resulting from inadequate maintenance so brakes, lights and mirrors were not in proper working order. There were no reports of any accidents caused by broken motorcycle parts or other manufacturing failures. As for the environmental factors, road design and maintenance were a significant cause of 12.5 per cent of accidents studied in the report. However, this did not cause any serious crashes and occurred especially at night. The results indicated that this could cause some problems to other vehicle riders. This happened in Bangkok and upcountry. According to identified countermeasures, Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul (M.D.) said that the results indicated that proper training for riders was necessary. From 723 accidents involving riders and 2,100 interviewees, there was only one that was trained. There should be a countermeasure to allow only those who have been properly trained to apply for a license, and avoiding drinking alcohol while riding was also very important. As for road design and maintenance, there should be improvements in clear road curve signs especially at night. Moreover, all road signs should be improved and any obstacles blocking a drivers view of the road signs, especially at night, should be removed. Besides, he said a very important factor in the prevention or decrease in the seriousness of any accident was helmet use. From the study, it was found that most serious accident were caused by drivers or passengers not using crash helmets, or using them improperty. For example helmets had no straps so the helmet came off when an accident occurred and could not prevent injuries. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usanee Yodyingyuad, Vice President for Research and Development, Chulalongkorn University, said road accident were an important problem in Thailand. She hoped that the research publicity would make society realize the importance prevention. Mr. Adisak Rohitasune, Vice President of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd., said this research was the first such study in Thailand and Honda thinks it was an important study. It was financially supported by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in the amount of Baht 25 million for Chulalongkorn University and Baht 25 million for the Head Protection Research Laboratory. He also said Honda gave a great deal of importance to motorcycle ride safety. Hence, there was a campaign to publicize knowledge about ride safety in Thailand since 1989. Honda established its own safety riding centre which was the first motorcycle ride training centre in Southeast Asia. In addition, he said riding correctly was an important factor in decreasing some accidents but not all. He hoped that the research publicity would make society realize the value of more prevention, and especially that the data from the research should be used as a foundation for setting prevention policies and countermeasures. The Motorcycle Accident Causation and Identification of Countermeasures in Thailand study was jointly undertaken by Chulalongkorn University and the internationally recognized Head Protection Research Laboratory, University of Southern California, USA and financially supported by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. It started in 1998. The Leader of this project was Prof. Dr. Vira Kasantikul, (M.D.), who is presently a lecturer at the faculty of pharmacology, Silapakorn University. After the research ended, Chulalongkorn University and Honda Motor Co., Ltd., will together publicize the research results in order to make use of the data to develop countermeasures. 
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