Points system for traffic offences passes NLR - foreigners renting to get fines in the post

 

Image: Sanook

 

Changes to old traffic regulations dating back to 1979 have been passed by the National Legislative Assembly. 

 

Police will have the power to confiscate vehicles used by drunks. 

 

Foreigners renting vehicles can expect to get fines through the post or by electronic means.

 

Sanook reported that the decision to amend the law was virtually unanimous with three abstentions. It will next head to a government committee for ratification after some public consultations. 

 

It is expected that 12 points will be issued to each driver. 

 

They will lose points for each infraction - Sanook said this could be one point for going through a red light and three for not getting out of the way of an ambulance, for example. 

 

When all points were exhausted the licence would be suspended for a period. 

 

Points could be topped up if training was undertaken but drivers would have to pay for that. 

 

The above details are where the public consultation phase will come into play.

 

When it comes to drink driving the police will have the power to seize vehicles and licences on the grounds that the driver or rider is a danger. After a period they will be returned. 

 

How fines are levied on rental vehicles caused much debate and the assembly was suspended for two hours after disagreement broke out when it was suggested that rental companies should be liable.

 

This was deemed to be a bad idea as no one should be responsible for someone else's fines. 

 

In the case where the renter is a foreigner the person breaking the law can expect the fine to be sent to their address. 

 

It was not stated in the report if people could expect fines in their home countries after leaving Thailand. 

 

Thaivisa notes that in some countries fines are paid by renters via their credit cards - this option was not mentioned in the Sanook report.

 

Source: Sanook

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-02-23

12 points? In 1 year? Most Thai drivers commit 12 points in half a day.

Hard to believe that an ambulance can be a dangerously speeding pick up belching diesel trying to beat its competition to the accident. They need more clarity on that. 

Only one point deducted for going through a red light? Seems ridiculously lenient to me.

funny,  as i recall growing up in America, you started with zero points, get 12 and ur license was suspended, LOL

 

Lost my license a few times for  spinning wheels and drag racing

 

Edited February 23, 20197 yr by phuketrichard

45 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Police will have the power to confiscate vehicles used by drunks.

Seems a bit harsh to be going around taking alcholics’ vehicles. 

and how about getting into the modern world and allowing motorbikes over a certain engine size on tollways 600cc +

 

all other SEA countries and in the west allow large motorbikes on motorways - Thailand claims to be a modern hub and leader and yet their traffic laws are still from the 1970's

police will have the power to seize vehicles and licences on the grounds that the driver or rider is a danger. 

 

Are we not the ones in Danger of these clowns?

The fact that they have an allocated number of points for holding up an ambulance is astounding in itself.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

In the case where the renter is a foreigner the person breaking the law can expect the fine to be sent to their address. 

It was not stated in the report if people could expect fines in their home countries after leaving Thailand. 

Thaivisa notes that in some countries fines are paid by renters via their credit cards - this option was not mentioned in the Sanook report.

From the TV documentaries I've seen recently about the police in the UK, if they stop someone for an offence who are on holiday using a foreign licence, the police seem to have to power to collect an 'on the spot fine', ensuring the fine is paid.

I'm surprised the RTP haven't gone down this route. There again, planning isn't exactly their strong point.

This concept is pointless in Thailand...there is no one to enforce it...it doesn’t matter what the rules are if there is no one to enforce it.

 

And can you honestly imagine the Locals having the ability to implement the infrastructure to do this (oh hang on, maybe onto something there, nice little 30% earner on the system build and commissioning even if it never actually gets used).

crossing the lines

500 bht 3 times!

paid at the ATM

cameras!

notice came by post

now why is the car in my name!?

Edited February 23, 20197 yr by AGareth2

Without traffic safety enforcement, no one's ever going to accrue 12 points. 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, phuketrichard said:

funny,  as i recall growing up in America, you started with zero points, get 12 and ur license was suspended, LOL

 

Lost my license a few times for  spinning wheels and drag racing

 

California has much less lenient point system:

https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/point-system.php

1 hour ago, phuketrichard said:

funny,  as i recall growing up in America, you started with zero points, get 12 and ur license was suspended, LOL

Lost my license a few times for  spinning wheels and drag racing

I always imagined Danny La Rue being caught drag racing.

Only 1 point for going through a red light and causing the accident that requires an ambulance, but 3 points for not getting out of the way of an ambulance because you're stuck in traffic. They really aren't thinking this thing through are they.

 

And as for sending infringement notices overseas, as happened to me when an Australian ticket arrived after I'd used my Singapore license down there on a visit home, a simple "Return to sender. Not known at this address" takes care of that.

Edited February 23, 20197 yr by Buffy Frobisher

1 hour ago, smedly said:

and how about getting into the modern world and allowing motorbikes over a certain engine size on tollways 600cc +

 

all other SEA countries and in the west allow large motorbikes on motorways - Thailand claims to be a modern hub and leader and yet their traffic laws are still from the 1970's

Hell  no, can you imagine the carnage? Remember, these are mainly Thais, who ride like lunatics.  Keep them off the expressway for ever.  

6 minutes ago, Buffy Frobisher said:

Only 1 point for going through a red light and causing the accident that requires an ambulance, but 3 points for not getting out of the way of an ambulance because you're stuck in traffic. They really aren't thinking this thing through are they.

 

And as for sending infringement notices overseas, as happened to me when an Australian ticket arrived after I'd used my Singapore license down there on a visit home, a simple "Return to sender. Not known at this address" takes care of that.

They never think things through, that's  why the laws are hardly ever enforced.  Remember the nobody in the back of a pick up truck idea?  Or the no street food idea, or the only two on a motorbike idea, or the Baht busses only stopping at designated bus stops idea,  or the taxis must always use their meters at all times idea, or the  ..................... 

Hey, well I don't think that it's hard as all hire vehicles names would be on the system when the provider puts details in the system, and so from there the police would have access to those details so they put a stop on the affenders passport at immigration you can't leave till you pay. 

Easy easy easy yes!  No ! Maybe!  

Come on whats the best way? 

When 40% of drivers don't have a license anyway, how is this going to help ?   It doesn't matter what cockeyed idea's they come up with after they've eaten their free lunch and argued about who should pay what when they don't have a professional Police Force that upholds all the laws.  Just another case of talking but never doing !

It's not about what it purports to be. 

It's merely yet another pair of pistols  for the brown suited Dick Turpins to point  in their furtherance of roadside extortions. 

Imagine getting a fine posted to your home in Europe or anywhere.  Where is my bin haha..

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Police will have the power to confiscate vehicles used by drunks. 

However, ice and yabaa freaks will be allowed to pass.

44 minutes ago, Buffy Frobisher said:

Only 1 point for going through a red light and causing the accident that requires an ambulance, but 3 points for not getting out of the way of an ambulance because you're stuck in traffic. They really aren't thinking this thing through are they.

 

And as for sending infringement notices overseas, as happened to me when an Australian ticket arrived after I'd used my Singapore license down there on a visit home, a simple "Return to sender. Not known at this address" takes care of that.

Are they planning to take a copy of your passport in the process ? If so would they catch up with you at immigration? Or would they fine the hire company who would then deduct from your credit card ?

 

Edited February 23, 20197 yr by Chelseafan

6 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

Are they planning to take a copy of your passport in the process ? If so would they catch up with you at immigration? Or would they fine the hire company who would then deduct from your credit card ?

You've lost them already.

Yes officer, here is my address, of course its the real one.

2 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

funny,  as i recall growing up in America, you started with zero points, get 12 and ur license was suspended, LOL

 

Lost my license a few times for  spinning wheels and drag racing

 

What's the difference between accumulating points from 0 to 12 and having point deducted from 12 to 0?

11 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

What's the difference between accumulating points from 0 to 12 and having point deducted from 12 to 0?

Thainess

3 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Only one point deducted for going through a red light? Seems ridiculously lenient to me.

I could agree; In my country (France) you lost 4 points (on 12) to not respect a Red Light or a Stop. Good.

Now let's be realistic: If they would strictly apply a 4 points per Red Light, in 1 month most Thai people have lost their 12 points... 

So in my opinion it's a good thing to install this system, but give it some time. When Thai people will start to understand it and to respect street rules (yes, it will happen) then it will be easy to increase the penalty for going through a Red Light or other break of important safety rules.

2 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

I could agree; In my country (France) you lost 4 points (on 12) to not respect a Red Light or a Stop. Good.

Now let's be realistic: If they would strictly apply a 4 points per Red Light, in 1 month most Thai people have lost their 12 points... 

So in my opinion it's a good thing to install this system, but give it some time. When Thai people will start to understand it and to respect street rules (yes, it will happen) then it will be easy to increase the penalty for going through a Red Light or other break of important safety rules.

What if the stop sign is completely obscured with trees or plants?