Health Ministry to Push for Blood Tests During Songkran to Curb Road Accidents

[snoop1130]

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health has said it will advocate for motorists who do not take breathalyzer tests to instead take alcohol blood tests, as part of efforts to curb drunk driving.

 

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Sathit Pitutecha said that under the new rule, traffic violators who do not submit to breathalyzer tests will be required to submit to blood tests conducted by officers manning checkpoints. He also warned that those who refuse to get tested will automatically be considered intoxicated.

 

Dr Sathit noted that a budget has been approved by the government to support the road safety campaign during the so-called "seven dangerous days" of the upcoming Songkran festival.

 

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

 

According to Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), motorists must also pay approximately 1,000 baht for each test administered and other additional fines if found to be intoxicated. Under the new rule, blood tests for motorists who are unable to take breathalyzer tests would cost between 20 and 30 million baht per year.

 

The Department of Medical Sciences meanwhile reported that it analyzed 784 blood samples over the New Year period, with 55% of them containing alcohol concentrations above the legal limit.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-04-05

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[Petey11]

Why not just have law like UK, don't consent to or provide a breath or or blood test a minimum 1year ban.

[spidermike007]

I have a better idea. How about getting the highway patrol to actually do their jobs, and patrol the highways, and pull over maniacs driving 200kph and other reckless drivers. That is how it works in most nations. So, why does Thailand hold traffic safety and our safety in such low regard? Why is it not a priority? Why do they drone on and on, and do nothing? 

[Meat Pie 47]

50 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I have a better idea. How about getting the highway patrol to actually do their jobs, and patrol the highways, and pull over maniacs driving 200kph and other reckless drivers. That is how it works in most nations. So, why does Thailand hold traffic safety and our safety in such low regard? Why is it not a priority? Why do they drone on and on, and do nothing? 

Welll I do agree with you but it is not drivers on the highway, every where, where I live they are RBT,s on every corner, if you are stopped you just have to count to ten in a little device which detects your alcohol in your mouth if detected,you have to provide an test and you need to blow if you over the limit you go to the cop shop and get tested again, go over again and you in the sh3t Pending on your percent of alcohole in your breath you will loose your licence and for a certain amount and points of course

[mania]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I have a better idea. How about getting the highway patrol to actually do their jobs, and patrol the highways, and pull over maniacs driving 200kph and other reckless drivers. That is how it works in most nations.

Because they only have 1 BMW smart car & the rest of the cops are on scooters ????

[smedly]

3 hours ago, Petey11 said:

Why not just have law like UK, don't consent to or provide a breath or or blood test a minimum 1year ban.

it the one instance in law when you are guilty until you prove otherwise - refuse a test and .........................someting I totally agree with

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, mania said:

Because they only have 1 BMW smart car & the rest of the cops are on scooters ????

The highway patrol have decent cars. But, they only seem to use them after an accident occurs, or to find a local card game. I never see them patroling the highway. 

[vandeventer]

6 hours ago, Petey11 said:

Why not just have law like UK, don't consent to or provide a breath or or blood test a minimum 1year ban.

I think Songkran will be a huge washout this year as so many people are use to staying at home and are scared they are going to catch covid. Take away the scooter keys from the young and that will save lives.

Edited April 5, 2022 by vandeventer

[inThailand]

Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Sathit Pitutecha said that under the new rule, traffic violators who do not submit to breathalyzer tests will be required to submit to blood tests conducted by officers manning checkpoints.

 

Who would let an untrained moron on the side of the road take a blood sample from you? No less, endorsed by the Health Minister.  Amazing! 

Edited April 5, 2022 by inThailand

[wealthychef]

Does this increase the cost of the bribe?  If not, I don't see what it will accomplish.  

[arick]

They won't t back even 2% of that in fines. The family of the dead Puck up the bill  so this wont go anywhere 

Edited April 5, 2022 by arick

[RichardColeman]

No officer I'm not drunk, just out of my head on weed

[tracker1]

Wonder were those 784 blood tests carried out over the New Year period on deceased accident victims ?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Ministry of Public Health has said it will advocate for motorists who do not take breathalyzer tests to instead take alcohol blood tests, as part of efforts to curb drunk driving.

After an accident is too bl**dy late.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I have a better idea. How about getting the highway patrol to actually do their jobs, and patrol the highways, and pull over maniacs driving 200kph and other reckless drivers. That is how it works in most nations. So, why does Thailand hold traffic safety and our safety in such low regard? Why is it not a priority? Why do they drone on and on, and do nothing? 

Because they don't give a damn.

[hotchilli]

47 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

I think Songkran will be a huge washout this year as so many people are use to staying at home and are scared they are going to catch covid. Take away the scooter keys from the young and that will save lives.

Watch the mass exodus starting next week... half of Thailand will be visiting families across the nation.

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The highway patrol have decent cars. But, they only seem to use them after an accident occurs, or to find a local card game. I never see them patroling the highway. 

They patrol the 7 motorway and regularly pull over cars, trucks and pickups.

[spidermike007]

It has just been announced the Thai people will push for a ministry that actually cares about their safety, and actually does something to improve road safety. They might begin by getting the highway patrol, to actually patrol the highways, searching for reckless drivers. Only the RTP and the Thai army are less capable than the highway patrol. 

 

Somehow, these ministries who are always asking of the people, need to be held accountable to the people. 

[Ralf001]

Just now, spidermike007 said:

It has just been announced the Thai people will push for a ministry that actually cares about their safety, and actually does something to improve road safety.

 

. 

.

If the Thai people cared so much about their own road safety they should abide by the laws themselves, not wait for some ministry to come hold their hand.

[spidermike007]

8 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Because they don't give a damn.

All talk and no action makes Cha Cha a very dull boy indeed. 

[vandeventer]

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Watch the mass exodus starting next week... half of Thailand will be visiting families across the nation.

One can only dream.

[hotchilli]

4 minutes ago, vandeventer said:

One can only dream.

Keep you eye on the train and bus terminals....

[jesimps]

1 hour ago, wealthychef said:

Does this increase the cost of the bribe?  If not, I don't see what it will accomplish.  

None of these remedies will work until they get rid of corruption. Make a noise like money and you can get away with almost anything. 

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The highway patrol have decent cars. But, they only seem to use them after an accident occurs, or to find a local card game. I never see them patroling the highway. 

Not uncommon to see four cars escorting a visiting Big-Wig in a cavalcade.

[jossthaifarang]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

motorists must also pay approximately 1,000 baht for each test administered

I think its a bit late for April fools jokes...

[thailand49]

And there you go another suggestion by another so call expert or person in charge the main reason it will be a failure just words no bite to it. 

The system of enforcement is different in Thailand it is not to prevent but to react after you don't need a car to enforce give me a dozen personnel on bikes, a dozen tracker trailers, large empty lot with tents, chairs, a few desk and within a week with the fines I could purchase vehicle for all those officers. ????

[Will B Good]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

55% of them containing alcohol concentrations above the legal limit.

What the......

[spidermike007]

49 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Not uncommon to see four cars escorting a visiting Big-Wig in a cavalcade.

As if their time could not be put to better use. The only people that consider the bigwigs important, are themselves and those subordinate to them. 

 

Patrol the highways. Take some responsibility. Man up and do something productive. 

Edited April 6, 2022 by spidermike007

[Pedrogaz]

In sensible countries with sensible laws, refusing a breathalyser tests results in a guilty verdict. 

[kingstonkid]

10 hours ago, Petey11 said:

Why not just have law like UK, don't consent to or provide a breath or or blood test a minimum 1year ban.

The problem is that you can ban people here from driving, take away  their license, their insurance and everything but as long as they have a car or bike they will drive.

 

The UK rule you talk about is the same in most countries now.

 

Until they start to institute rules that actually penalize people.  

 

Taking away their cars.  Impounding their bikes.  Putting them in jail overnight if they blow over  the minimum.

 

BUT again TIT