Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Thailand. According to an ADB-ASEAN report released in March 2004, the average economic cost of one traffic accident death is about 2.85 million baht. In addition, there is also the inestimable psychological damage.

In 2005, the government’s Road Safety Center developed an integrated plan for traffic accident prevention. A new agency, the Road Safety Division, has been established under the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior.

A cabinet resolution on 29 July 2003 instructed ThaiHealth to support measures to improve road safety standards in Thailand. Since March 2003, ThaiHealth has been giving support to research projects on the prevention of road accidents, including research on model provinces.

Partners

• The Road Safety Division
• Provincial disaster prevention officers
• Provinces and communities

Academics

• The Ministry of Public Health
• The Ministry of Education
• The Ministry of Communication and Transportation
• The Corrections Department
• The National Police Office

Hospitals

• Local public health administrators

Activities

1. Capacity building for key personnel
   Training is being given to officers of the Road Safety Division and provincial disaster prevention officers. The training focuses on methods to coordinate with private and government sector personnel in order to cooperation and effectiveness. Incentive measures to encourage compliance with laws are being developed.
2. Support organizations working on road safety
   ThaiHealth is providing support to existing organizations, and helping to establish new organizations. New organizations include a disabled people’s association, a traffic discipline promotion association, and a passengers’ and pedestrians’ rights association.
3. Media campaigns
   Plans will be developed for using the mass media to reach target groups, and to support provincial safety campaigns.
4. Information Center for Road Accidents
   An Information Center for Road Accidents will be established to collect and synthesize data from relevant organizations. Such data are necessary for policy design and implementation. Support will also be given to local organizations that wish to establish their own information centers.
5. Knowledge management and creation
   ThaiHealth will develop mechanisms for organizations in different provinces to exchange experiences. The establishment of networks will be encouraged. ThaiHealth will provide support for policy-relevant research
6. Other activities
   ThaiHealth will support reviews or case studies of road safety campaigns from other countries, and the production of manuals and information systems. It will also assist organizations wishing to set up pilot projects.