During the past three 5-year economic and social development plans, (1982-86, 1987-91, 1992-96), Thailand's economy has developed by 300 percent. Over the same period, per capita income has increased by 2.7 times. Road transport has played a major role in this economic development process. While the country's road network has expanded moderately over this period, the total number of vehicle registrations has gone up about four times. The total number of traffic accidents has surged from 18,420 to 94,892 with the corresponding number of fatalities from 2700 to 9496 over the 1985-1993 period. In 1993, the economic losses resulting from traffic accidents have been estimated at A$3483 million. In terms of the country's GNP, the losses amount to 2.23 percent. The aim of the paper is to highlight the use of proactive action of road safety audit. Two sections of roads in the two major cities in the south of Thailand, Hat Yai and Surat Thani were audited using the AUSTROADS Road Safety Audit principles and checklists as guidelines. (A)
Abstract