Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Road safety is a common concern, especially throughout most of Asia.
Recently, I was vaguely worrying about the potential risks of inter-city travel in Cambodia using one of the vans, and I realized that although I've spent decades in South and Southeast Asia, the only time I was even close to being in a crash/accident was on a bus on the East-West Highway in Nepal that ran off the road, stopped in the ditch, and then tipped over. Everyone climbed out the windows. We were close to the border with West Bengal, which is where I was headed, so I tried to find a car for hire to take me the rest of the way, but someone said "Just jump on the next bus that comes along. It's the same company."
Later on during that trip, after travelling on to Sikkim, the buses in the mountains were only inches away from some very steeps drop-offs at the edge of the roads without guardrails. Arrived safely every time.
So, I feel like I've been pretty lucky.
How about you?
Recently, I was vaguely worrying about the potential risks of inter-city travel in Cambodia using one of the vans, and I realized that although I've spent decades in South and Southeast Asia, the only time I was even close to being in a crash/accident was on a bus on the East-West Highway in Nepal that ran off the road, stopped in the ditch, and then tipped over. Everyone climbed out the windows. We were close to the border with West Bengal, which is where I was headed, so I tried to find a car for hire to take me the rest of the way, but someone said "Just jump on the next bus that comes along. It's the same company."
Later on during that trip, after travelling on to Sikkim, the buses in the mountains were only inches away from some very steeps drop-offs at the edge of the roads without guardrails. Arrived safely every time.
So, I feel like I've been pretty lucky.
How about you?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I may be going to hell in a bucket,
but at least I'm enjoying the ride.
I may be going to hell in a bucket,
but at least I'm enjoying the ride.
Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Vietnam: a minibus failed to brake and slammed into the back of the minibus I was sitting in. Nobody hurt, but it took a few hours to sort it out and get onto another one to continue the trip
Driving on Cambodian roads is just like playing a classic arcade top scroller. The only difference is a force feedback controller, the limitation to only one life and the inability to restart, once Game Over
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Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
In Hat Yai Thailand, a multi wheeler truck did not stop and hit our minivan very hard from behind. Shattered glass, airbags deployed, but magically no one injured!
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Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Maybe 15 years back coming from Saigon on a big bus. Sailing along on what was then a new road, few passengers on the bus and Boney M blaring from the speakers. Next moment the bus takes an enormous swerve while hitting the brakes, enormous enough that I was amazed we didn't go over. It was difficult to ascertain exactly what happened but seems like 2 fuckwits on a moto decided that this was a good time to play chicken crossing the road, at the same time a young girl was at the side of the road waiting to cross. Long story short, we just clipped the guys on the moto but hit the girl square on the grill. I wish I had not looked out the back of the bus. The bus company and driver were both Vietnamese. Locals were gathering and wailing and the bus driver was stuffed inside a nearby room by the cops to keep him out of the hands of the villagers. Tragic is the appropriate word. I still remember it well and it's the only major accident I have ever experienced in SEA on local transport.
- DavidMurphy
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Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Also Saigon bus but a city bus. 2016. It hit the city bus in front while I was relaxing on the only seat with a luggage space in front. I flew through the luggage space and hit my face on the chrome bar at the top of the next seat. The only one on the bus to be injured. My front top teeth smashed and cut through my top lip. I was on my knees, leaking blood. Fellow passengers were kind, lifted me up, gave me tissues etc. I called the job interviewer I was on my way to meet. He met me and insisted on bringing me to his dentist, who stitched me up and injected me with painkillers, all paid for by my prospective employer. Got 4 new teeth in PP some time later. My sinuses are f**ked ever since and twice a day I have to snort out a cupful of mucus to ease breathing. Shouldn't have chosen that seat (extra legroom).johnny lightning wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:24 am Maybe 15 years back coming from Saigon on a big bus. Sailing along on what was then a new road, few passengers on the bus and Boney M blaring from the speakers. Next moment the bus takes an enormous swerve while hitting the brakes, enormous enough that I was amazed we didn't go over. It was difficult to ascertain exactly what happened but seems like 2 fuckwits on a moto decided that this was a good time to play chicken crossing the road, at the same time a young girl was at the side of the road waiting to cross. Long story short, we just clipped the guys on the moto but hit the girl square on the grill. I wish I had not looked out the back of the bus. The bus company and driver were both Vietnamese. Locals were gathering and wailing and the bus driver was stuffed inside a nearby room by the cops to keep him out of the hands of the villagers. Tragic is the appropriate word. I still remember it well and it's the only major accident I have ever experienced in SEA on local transport.
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Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
The prospective employer acted with class and compassion, what a legend. Did you get the job?DavidMurphy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 7:09 amAlso Saigon bus but a city bus. 2016. It hit the city bus in front while I was relaxing on the only seat with a luggage space in front. I flew through the luggage space and hit my face on the chrome bar at the top of the next seat. The only one on the bus to be injured. My front top teeth smashed and cut through my top lip. I was on my knees, leaking blood. Fellow passengers were kind, lifted me up, gave me tissues etc. I called the job interviewer I was on my way to meet. He met me and insisted on bringing me to his dentist, who stitched me up and injected me with painkillers, all paid for by my prospective employer. Got 4 new teeth in PP some time later. My sinuses are f**ked ever since and twice a day I have to snort out a cupful of mucus to ease breathing. Shouldn't have chosen that seat (extra legroom).johnny lightning wrote: ↑Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:24 am Maybe 15 years back coming from Saigon on a big bus. Sailing along on what was then a new road, few passengers on the bus and Boney M blaring from the speakers. Next moment the bus takes an enormous swerve while hitting the brakes, enormous enough that I was amazed we didn't go over. It was difficult to ascertain exactly what happened but seems like 2 fuckwits on a moto decided that this was a good time to play chicken crossing the road, at the same time a young girl was at the side of the road waiting to cross. Long story short, we just clipped the guys on the moto but hit the girl square on the grill. I wish I had not looked out the back of the bus. The bus company and driver were both Vietnamese. Locals were gathering and wailing and the bus driver was stuffed inside a nearby room by the cops to keep him out of the hands of the villagers. Tragic is the appropriate word. I still remember it well and it's the only major accident I have ever experienced in SEA on local transport.
Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Any man and his dog can be a "taxi" driver here with no background checks, roadworthy, licence or insurance. Public service vehicles (private hire) in most countries require you to have strict roadworthies (usually twice a year), comprehensive insurance (public liability) and a driving test (just look at The Knowledge in London).
In Cambodia you need non of those things.
In Cambodia you need non of those things.
Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Not Asia sorry, but Tunisia yes - was on a coach down near the Sahara & heading back up past El Djem (fantastic colosseum, below). Bus driver decided that the roadworks/single lane traffic control was nonsense, so he put the coach right wheels into the sand on the side of the road. Obviously, really obviously, the coach then toppled over on its side. I was top deck right by the stairs, and ended up going downstairs via the rail and seven of my ribs, two broken, five cracked. Manage to exit through the rear window & luckily nobody was fatally injured. The best part was realising I had broken ribs when bending down to pick up my book, and then being told the nearest hospital with more than bandaids was all the way back up north - a good 7 hour drive in a Ford Escort van ambulance with a driver who chain smoked! Good times, but I'll stick the camel next time!
Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
Minor assholing of car by city bus in Bangkok, so had to get out and wait for another one. Also in Bangkok, on one of the elevated highways, coach type bus had front blowout and involved one other car. Horrific accident that could have fatalities, but Cod protected us, and only minor injuries. Early 2000s.
- Big Daikon
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Re: Have you ever been in a crash on public transport in Asia?
First trip to Siem Reap, my tuk-tuk driver slammed into a pickup truck. We were not going very fast so there were no injuries. Our driver turned to us and laughed, "Sorry, I drinking".
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