A traffic accident involving an electric tricycle speeding on a main road in Phitsanulok province has become a lesson. Police revealed that compensation negotiations took a long time and warned against driving these vehicles on main roads. Rescue workers noted that elderly drivers frequently encounter accidents but often do not listen to safety advice.
"Inheritance-accelerating vehicle"This is the term used by social media to refer to electric tricycles driven by elderly people on public roads. The Thairath Online special news team has followed up and sought to provide knowledge for prevention and to find solutions for safer shared road use.
Although accidents happen frequently, there is still no clear legal classification for electric tricycles that could enhance safety for drivers and others. Mostly, warnings are issued, while current laws applicable include the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) (Sections 6 and 64), the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Insurance Act B.E. 2535 (1992), and the Act on Maintenance of Cleanliness and Orderliness of the Country B.E. 2535 (1992).
In a recent example, a car collided with a small electric tricycle on 9 Sep 2023 at 5:00 pm in front of the Administrative Court on Route 117, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok province. One person was injured—a 79-year-old woman suffering injuries to her neck, shoulder, and left arm, with bruises and abrasions on her body. Volunteer rescue workers provided first aid before transferring her to Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj Camp Hospital for further treatment.
The Thairath Online special team interviewed the rescue worker who assisted the injured woman. He described her injuries to the neck, shoulder, and bruising and abrasions on her body. He was not aware of the exact details of the accident but said local police attended to assist and follow legal procedures.
Regarding elderly use of electric tricycles in Phitsanulok, collisions occur about once every two months. Local police have issued safety advice, but some users do not often heed it. They urge greater caution in driving and road use to ensure safety for both the drivers and others.
The Thairath Online team contacted the duty officer at Mueang Phitsanulok Police Station. The injured woman received treatment, including surgery to insert metal supports in her arm. Her daughter is currently negotiating compensation with the driver of the car involved. The car driver admitted to having clipped the rear of the woman's electric tricycle and agreed to buy her a new vehicle to replace the damaged one. The accident may have involved negligence by the car driver and lack of caution by the elderly driver of the tricycle.
Authorities advise that electric tricycles should not be driven on main public roads because there is no insurance coverage for accidents affecting the driver or others. They also discourage elderly people from driving vehicles not compliant with the law, as this may reduce their caution on the road.
Drivers of electric tricycles usually face only fines for using illegal vehicles on main roads. Most accidents occur on village roads rather than major thoroughfares.
"We do not want these vehicles driven on main roads because there is no insurance coverage. If an accident or collision with pedestrians happens, the at-fault party has no insurance support, and the driver also lacks insurance. It is acceptable to drive them inside villages but driving on main roads requires caution," said the official.
Electric tricyclesCurrently, there is no legal protection for electric tricycle drivers, and they cannot register these vehicles, so no insurance applies. Their structure is more fragile than typical road vehicles, increasing the risk of serious injury in accidents. It is recommended to restrict their use to villages or closed areas with familiar roads.
