Phuket Opinion: Safer drivers on the horizon

[webfact]

Phuket Opinion: Safer drivers on the horizon

By The Phuket News

 

A Traffic Police officer checks a driver's licence in Patong. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET: The impending introduction of the demerit points system for people with driver’s licences marks Thailand on the cusp of something great. It’s not the point system itself, it’s the fact that there will be a system in place which will automatically invalidate a driver’s licence once too many penalty points have been accrued.

 

Why is this so important? Because it breeds an understanding that a driver’s licence is a valuable privilege – and this on an island where there are next to no real public transport options.

 

The attitude of drivers in Phuket towards traffic laws is so appalling that just during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign during Songkran in April this year, 1,092 people were fined for not wearing seatbelts, 328 were fined for speeding, 471 were fined for ignoring traffic signals, 533 were fined for ghost driving (driving opposite traffic flow), 325 were fined for dangerously cutting off other motorists in traffic, 472 were fined for using mobile phones while driving and 501 people were arrested for drunk driving during the period.

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-safer-drivers-on-the-horizon-73918.php#5Wke5EWTW4Fusy4J.99

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2019-12-09

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[PatOngo]

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

The attitude of drivers in Phuket towards traffic laws is so appalling that just during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign during Songkran in April this year, 1,092 people were fined for not wearing seatbelts, 328 were fined for speeding, 471 were fined for ignoring traffic signals, 533 were fined for ghost driving (driving opposite traffic flow), 325 were fined for dangerously cutting off other motorists in traffic, 472 were fined for using mobile phones while driving and 501 people were arrested for drunk driving during the period.

Shut the gate, the horse has bolted! ????

[Chazar]

Stupid title, it  will do NOTHING to make those drivers  safer

[smedly]

and out of the 3221 that were fined how many had a valid licence or a properly registered vehicle ?

 

and as they attempt to deduct points - remember there are x2 licences, perhaps time to take a look at the dual licence system and bring it up to date with the rest of the world and introduce a single licence system - oh that would be too sensible

[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Phuket Opinion: Safer drivers on the horizon

The author of this piece does not seem to understand that the "Horizon" is an imaginary line in the distance that recedes as one nears it.

 

There is one, and only one, way to attain good traffic safety; good policing.

 

Until Thailand's <deleted> poor policing improves, nothing will change.

 

Period.

 

[legend49]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

The author of this piece does not seem to understand that the "Horizon" is an imaginary line in the distance that recedes as one nears it.

 

There is one, and only one, way to attain good traffic safety; good policing.

 

Until Thailand's <deleted> poor policing improves, nothing will change.

 

Period.

 

The horizon is Singapore where they drive a lot better.

[Somtamnication]

It won't stop them from driving, once the points have accumulated!

[marko kok prong]

How about these licences,my ex wife bought one and a motorsai licence,from someone she knew in the office,once she accumlates the points no doubt she will go back and purchase a clean one.

[30la]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

it’s the fact that there will be a system in place which will automatically invalidate a driver’s licence once too many penalty points have been accrued.

What is the problem? Those who have their driving license confiscated will go without a license ...
And talking about more careful drivers ... a little too much or not?

[pattayadgw]

A points system.... haaa..... why should a Thai be concerned about that when most dont have a license... nuff said!!

[PETERTHEEATER]

Check the photo in the OP. The cop is checking a Thai ID card not a Driving Licence.

 

As the Earth rotates the horizon remains as distant as ever.......

 

[Brigand]

Lol, the introduction of "demerit" points will solve the issue huh? Well, when there is a national holiday we always hear that the cops nationwide at check points found that 75k drivers were unable to produce a license in the first place when asked, then I think you need to combat the contempt and apathy most Thais have for legality in the first place. There are reasons why Thailand has such a shocking and lamentable record on road safety along with other things. Most Thais see the law as optional to follow ... until they get caught and then either buy their way out or admit it to get their sentence halved if they are poor and bang-to-rights on something.

[Prairieboy]

On 12/9/2019 at 4:02 AM, webfact said:

Safer drivers on the horizon

Maybe beyond the horizon?

On 12/9/2019 at 4:02 AM, webfact said:

invalidate a driver’s licence

Driver’s licence?  What driver’s licence?

[Moonlover]

17 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Check the photo in the OP. The cop is checking a Thai ID card not a Driving Licence.

 

As the Earth rotates the horizon remains as distant as ever.......

 

Which is probably why the rider doesn't look very happy. (well spotted by the way)

Edited December 10, 2019 by Moonlover

[madmitch]

Here's a selection of points deductions:

 

Drunk driving: 3 points

Red lights: 2 points

Helmets and speeding: 1 point each

 

I know many Thais could lose their licence in a week based on this (and a few farangs as well!) but you can drive drunk four times before losing your licence and get caught speeding eleven times in a year and still be permitted to drive.

 

The biggest deterrent is that the police may well start asking for bigger bribes!

[Felt 35]

On 12/9/2019 at 4:02 AM, webfact said:

the fact that there will be a system in place which will automatically invalidate a driver’s licence

Hmm... for me it seems people drive without any knowledge about what a purpose a driving license should have already so...…….????????