Electric tricycles have become a familiar sight in communities, emerging as a favorite vehicle for seniors by offering convenient travel. However, these vehicles conceal "hidden dangers," leading many to nickname them "inheritance accelerators" if used without caution or proper methods.
Thairath Online’s special news team delves into statistics on elderly fatalities from road accidents, along with safety equipment and precautions.
Data from the Accident Reduction Network Office reveals that elderly deaths from road accidents have doubled when comparing 2018 to 2024.
The distribution of fatality causes by behavior is as follows:
81% died as drivers.
13.6% died as passengers.
4.9% died as pedestrians.
The primary vehicle causing the highest fatalities is motorcycles, accounting for 82%, including the widely used electric tricycles today.
Electric tricycles cannot be registered with the Department of Land Transport, placing them in a "legal vacuum" without protection in accidents. Driving them on highways or main roads carries a maximum fine of 10,000 baht.
Yet, risky behaviors among seniors are frequently observed, including:
1. Driving on highways and staying in the right lane at speeds incompatible with larger vehicles, causing traffic obstruction.
2. Driving against traffic rules, assuming short distances are safe, which greatly increases collision risks.
3. Cutting in front of other vehicles due to misjudging distances caused by age-related vision decline.
4. Lack of safety equipment to protect life in emergencies.
1. Helmet to protect the head from impact.
2. Seat belt to secure the body and prevent falling from the vehicle.
3. Anti-tip wheels to prevent overturning on slopes or sudden acceleration.
4. Armrests and side support seats to help seniors maintain balance.
5. LED lights with warning sounds to increase visibility and alert other vehicles.
Regular health checks focusing on vision, eyesight, and hearing.
Practice control skills to ensure familiarity with acceleration and braking.
Use only safe, familiar routes such as villages or small alleys; strictly avoid main roads.
Avoid night driving to prevent poor visibility and accidents in blind spots without witnesses.
Respect traffic laws: no driving against traffic, no sudden turns, and no cutting in front of other vehicles.
Besides strict law enforcement to prevent accidents, public education and sales regulation must include clear guidance for buyers, especially seniors, to ensure safe driving practices.