WE FLUNK ROAD SAFETY TEST

       Thailand's road safety rules do not measure up against international standards, especially for baby seats.
       Under a fivepoint test from the World Health Organisation, all existing measures in Thailand failed in all conditions.
       In the baby safety seat category, Thailand scored zero out of a possible 10 points, WHO expert Maureen Bermingham told a seminar yesterday.
       Lax enforcement of the standard speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour won only two points, she said, adding that the high speed limit still posed a huge risk and should be lowered to only 50km/h like in many developed countries.
       On measures to curb drunkdriving, lax enforcement and other negative factors earned five points although the legal blood alcohol level is as low as other countries.
       The safety helmet and seatbelt categories scored four and five respectively. The rate of motorcycle passengers wearing helmets is still much lower than the acceptable standard.
       The Interior Ministry's Road Safety Centre said it was working on new measures to reduce road accidents from 22.21 per 100,000 persons five years ago to 14.15 by 2012.
       The Transport Ministry said it would raise the standard of tests in driving schools and would change mandatory inspection of all public transport to twice a year from once a year.
       The Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand said it would devise a new medevac system relying on military helicopters to reach serious patients within 10 minutes.
       Another project is to ensure "one district one fullyequipped ambulance" and "one tambon one rescue team" across the country.