By Kritagya Regmi
Motorcycles are the most common mode of transport in Thailand, valued for their affordability, fuel efficiency, and convenience. Yet, their limited protection leaves riders highly vulnerable in the event of a crash. According to integrated data from the Royal Thai Police, hospitals, and insurance companies, motorcycle crashes account for more than 80% of all road traffic fatalities in the country.
To better understand this critical issue, the project ‘In-depth Motorcycle Accident Investigation in Thailand‘ conducted by the Thailand Accident Research Center (TARC) of the AIT’s School of Engineering and Technology carried out a detailed investigation into motorcycle accidents in Thailand, analysing 1001 crash cases between 2016 and 2020. The study revealed that human factors caused 94% of crashes, with perception failure being the leading factor (49%), followed by decision failure (32%) and reaction failure (13%). Young riders between 15 and 24 years old were the most heavily represented group. Most of them had received little to no structured training, 57% were taught by family or friends, 32% were self-taught, and only 1.48% had attended formal motorcycle training. This lack of professional guidance left many young riders unprepared to anticipate risks and respond effectively in critical moments.
In response to this urgent gap, TARC developed the Hazard Perception Training Manual for Drivers in Thailand. The manual was adopted by the Department of Land Transport and made publicly available online, becoming a vital tool for strengthening hazard anticipation among drivers.
Building on this success, TARC has now extended the concept to motorcycle riders. The new hazard perception training curriculum is designed to reflect their real-world experiences and cognitive learning patterns, equipping them with the skills to better predict and respond to potential hazards. Supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the program focuses on improving riders’ ability to recognize, interpret, and respond to dangers; skills often lacking in current licensing programs.
Prof. Kunnawee Kanitpong, Professor at the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (CIE) and Director of TARC, said, “This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed hazard perception training program for motorcycle riders in reducing the risk of motorcycle accidents in Thailand. The training program focuses on common road hazards such as vehicles turning and sudden lane changes, and incorporates real-world crash data to tailor the training to high-risk situations. The improvement in riders’ hazard perception skills will be measured as part of the study.”
The project specifically targets novice and adolescent riders, aiming to bridge the skill gap between them and more experienced riders. Its objectives are to compare accident prediction skills between novice riders (especially youth) and experienced riders, to compare safe responses and hazard anticipation between trained and untrained groups, to identify factors influencing safe riding, and to evaluate the effectiveness of new hazard perception training in reducing crash risks among novice and young riders in Thailand.
To ensure reliable evidence, the study is structured as a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) involving 1,600 participants. Half are riders aged 15–24, and half are over 25, with each age group divided into control and intervention groups. While all participants complete the standard license training, only the intervention group receives the hazard perception training. This design allows direct comparison between trained and untrained riders.
Prof Kunnawee added, “Hazard perception is a crucial skill that enables young riders to anticipate potential accidents and recognize dangers on the road. Research has shown that hazard perception training can significantly reduce accident rates. We hope that the outcomes of this project will contribute to developing safer, more skilled riders and improving overall road safety in the future.”
The curriculum itself is built around core skills for safe riding. It begins with hazard perception principles and preparation before riding, followed by modules on maintaining safe distances, overtaking, and managing speed. Riders are trained to develop 360-degree awareness through continuous scanning, mirror checks, and anticipating blind spots. The course then focuses on hazard response, covering safe behavior at traffic lights, around pedestrians, cyclists, large trucks, construction sites, accident zones, emergency vehicles, animals, reckless drivers, and during poor weather or nighttime conditions. Correct braking techniques are also emphasized.
Effectiveness is measured through three methods. The first is the Accident Prediction Training Program (APT), a computer-based, gamified tool built on over 1,000 real crash cases, where riders predict hazards in 17 animated scenarios. The second is the Honda Riding Simulator, which allows riders to demonstrate their responses to hazardous situations in a controlled environment. The third is a six-month follow-up period, during which participants provide weekly self-reports of crashes or near-misses, offering valuable insight into whether the training translates to safer behavior on actual roads.
The project is expected to generate strong evidence that structured hazard perception training improves safety outcomes for young and novice riders. By highlighting differences between trained and untrained groups, it will validate the curriculum’s effectiveness and build momentum for wider adoption across schools, universities, and organizations. Ultimately, this initiative represents a significant step toward reducing motorcycle crashes in Thailand and creating safer roads for all.
Special thanks to Ms. Thanchanok Inmor for the support.
