Motorbike death toll, a growing crisis

Motorcyclists drive along a flyover passing over the busy Sunthorn Kosa intersection on Sept 25, 2017, when one falls over after hitting a pothole, injuring his leg. City workers later rushed to fix the potholes. (Photo: Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)

Thailand's roads are death traps -- indeed the deadliest in this region and among the 10 most dangerous in the world. Despite a raft of measures to make these roads safe, nothing will change if nothing is done to save motorcycle riders.

Why? Because motorcyclists account for 74% of all road deaths, according to the Department of Disease Control. Of the 20,000 people killed on roads each year, 15,000 of them are motorcyclists. That is three out of four fatalities.