Phuket targets crash blackspots under ‘Safe & Seamless’ road safety plan

Phuket officials have identified accident blackspots for targeted road safety upgrades under the province’s “Safe & Seamless Phuket” initiative, with dangerous sections of Phra Baramee Rd, helmet use, drink-driving prevention and motorcycle crashes among the main concerns reviewed at a provincial meeting on June 9.

The plans were discussed at a meeting of the Phuket Provincial Road Safety Centre chaired by Vice Governor Teeraphong Chuaychoo at Phuket Provincial Hall. Officials reviewed road accident statistics, enforcement efforts, high-risk locations and measures intended to reduce deaths and injuries on the island’s roads.

A key part of the discussion focused on the “Safe & Seamless Phuket” programme presented by Dr Wiwat Seetamanon, which aims to reduce crashes through infrastructure improvements and urban speed management. Officials said one of the programme’s most successful projects was the conversion of temporary U-turn openings on Thepkrasattri Rd, along the Thepkrasattri-Srisoonthorn corridor, into permanent concrete U-turn facilities built to international standards.

The project was launched after several U-turn points on Thepkrasattri Rd were identified as frequent crash sites and causes of traffic congestion. Funded by the Safer Roads Foundation, the works covered 15.6 kilometres and cost more than B6.2 million.

Data presented at the meeting showed no fatalities had been recorded at the upgraded locations during the four months since the improvements were completed. Officials also reported smoother peak-period traffic, travel times reduced by up to 10 minutes and faster access for ambulances and rescue vehicles.

The project forms part of Phuket’s wider use of the “Self-Explaining Road” concept, which is designed to encourage safer driving through road layout rather than relying only on warning signs and enforcement. Measures already introduced include raised pedestrian crossings, or speed tables, mini-roundabouts and lane-narrowing designs to slow vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Officials cited a raised crossing outside Vachira Phuket Hospital as one example, saying it had improved safety for patients, staff and visitors crossing the road. The province is now considering similar measures for other high-risk areas including the Koh Siray Bridge approach, Pattana Rd, Suthat Rd and several roads in Patong, including Thaweewong Rd and Phra Baramee Rd.

Officials said future projects would continue to be selected through a data-driven process using accident records, hospital and agency information, and engineering and site assessments. The meeting also discussed proposals for large employers to provide staff shuttle services to help reduce motorcycle use among workers, along with further work at dangerous U-turns, more raised crossings and speed tables, and expansion of the PHUKET EYE surveillance project and the “Safe Roads, Safe Lives: One Million Helmets” campaign.

In a separate road safety meeting the same day at Phuket Merlin Hotel, officials reviewed progress of the Road Safety Organisation programme, which encourages businesses to adopt road safety measures in their operations. The initiative, organised by the Phuket Provincial Labour Welfare and Protection Office with support from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, has involved 18 businesses.

Vice Governor Teeraphong said Phuket remained committed to cooperation among government agencies, businesses and communities to strengthen road safety culture across the island. He said the provincial government would continue pursuing measures to reduce accidents, limit loss of life and property, and improve safety for residents and tourists.