New seatbelt law: Police will go "softly softly" from Sept 5 - but fines are "at the discretion of the officer"

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: PR stressed at first

 

Daily News reported on the comments of the deputy commander of the metropolitan police in Bangkok yesterday regarding the new seatbelt law that comes in next month.

 

The media called September 5th "D-Day" - as they always do - but the devil was in the details, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

These were typically wishy-washy indicating that the RTP hasn't really thought the issue through. The spokesman didn't even know what different car seats were.

 

Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek was sure about one thing - the law meant that EVERYONE in a car had to wear a seatbelt front or back.

 

Unless the car was really old.

 

Previously it was just the front meaning the driver and passenger.

 

Regarding car seats for children he spoke of there being three kinds of restraining devices - "car seats, special seats and seats that stop danger".

 

What these actually are was not clearly articulated (the press didn't press him).

 

All he did say was that the RTP - of which he is of course a part and a spokesman - have yet to decide what car seat means. When that is sure it'll be implemented immediately, he said hopefully.

 

One reasonably definitive point was that cars registered before January 1st 1988 that could not be fitted with seatbelts would be exempt. 

 

But his main point - and that picked up by the media in their headline - was that the police would only conduct a public information drive at first warning people that they all had to belt up. 

 

Though ominously for those that believe the new law will be a possible revenue stream for miscreants masquerading under the RTP badge, Jirasan said that this softly-softly approach "would be at the discretion of the officer on a case by case basis".

 

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[Excel]

I wonder what the position is where people are riding in the bed of a pickup ?  A long time ago it was decreed by the PM that it is not lawful and almost immediately it appears to have been ignored. I wonder if rear seat belt usage will undergo a similar fate ?

[Peterw42]

2 minutes ago, Excel said:

I wonder what the position is where people are riding in the bed of a pickup ?  A long time ago it was decreed by the PM that it is not lawful and almost immediately it appears to have been ignored. I wonder if rear seat belt usage will undergo a similar fate ?

Like clockwork, riding in the back of pickups gets banned every year just before songkran, then forgotten about just after songkran

[Geoffggi]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

These were typically wishy-washy indicating that the RTP hasn't really thought the issue through. The spokesman didn't even know what different car seats were.

Well there's a surprise - NOT!!! .................LOL

[vinci]

what about those truck that carry people from one end of soi to another, people just pack in like sardine

[garygooner]

Just another idea that will simply go away. Seeing construction workers packed into trucks every day, some having to stand. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Idiots. 

 

They need to go hard and mete out proper punishments so that motorists get the message and obey the law.

 

Never will happen it is antithetical to the mai bpen rai culture here. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

restraining devices - "car seats, special seats and seats that stop danger

The new laws do not bother us. ????

 

[soi3eddie]

"softly softly"? Is that 20, 50, 100 Baht or more?

 

[Jerno]

Discretion of the Officer.....ya, that will work just fine.  Meaning the on the spot fine pocketed will be discretion of the Officer.

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

3 hours ago, Excel said:

I wonder what the position is where people are riding in the bed of a pickup ?  A long time ago it was decreed by the PM that it is not lawful and almost immediately it appears to have been ignored. I wonder if rear seat belt usage will undergo a similar fate ?

Like clockwork, riding in the back of pickups gets banned every year just before songkran, then forgotten about just after songkran

... there is usually an announcement that riding in the back of a pickup is illegal and will be clamped down upon.....  Then there is a nationwide furore as people are claiming they can’t get home etc....  So there is an about-turn and its announced that.... 'ok.. you can do, but not more than 6 of people in the back'... 

... as if allowing 6 people is safe, but 7 is not !!!...  

 

The reality is, riding in the back of a pick up in a highway is ridiculously unsafe, but there are significant practical considerations, any such bans have a significant impact on the nation - ultimately a blind eye has to be turned - this is the issue at hand with road safety, a blind eye is often turned. 

 

Thus; They [authorities] do what the can do... they place rules on the ‘enforceable’... in this case, those middle class with cars...   this seat-belt law may have an impact on the middle class only.

 

[richard_smith237]

I recall some 20 years ago there as a big deal with the seatbelt law (in the front coming in). 

 

I was pulled over at a junction... officer wants 2000 baht, he says my passenger wasn’t wearing their seatbelt (passenger was wearing a seatbelt)...  I say no. Definitely wearing a seatbelt. 

He wants 2000 baht baht...  I just say no and drive off with a smile..   I half expect them to take chase and follow me (I escalated by driving off)... nothing happened !!!!... 

[gp2002]

If you want to die, don't wear a seat belt 

Simple

[Mangkhut]

About as hardcore enforcing as the mandatory motorbike helmet law….????????

[Classic Ray]

There is no official support for the banning of passengers in pickup beds as all the likely victims are poor, and thus of no consequence.

 

Same for seatbelts and child seats. The rich and well educated will use them (except for the arrogant) but the poor, who really need telling of the consequences, will not through ignorance and apathy. Their children will be the victims.

[stoner]

hold on hold on hold on.

 

you're telling me there are laws on the roads here ? 

 

[topt]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Previously it was just the front meaning the driver and passenger.

I thought this was put in law  for both front and back from some years ago?

 

I remember being stopped at the check point by the Ambassador in Pattaya and one of the passengers in the back was asleep and did not have his seat belt on (of which I was unaware). The policeman wanted to fine me 400 baht (may have been more) but I eventually got him to relent. This would have been 3-4 years ago. 

 

I have been telling any passengers ever since to make sure they belt up.

[simola]

A new income stream. 

[hellohello123]

I'm going to send them an email and ask if it's advisable to put my seatbelt around my neck with fishing wire

[ChrisKC]

"Softly. softly", "go easy (on irresponsibility), "fines discretionary"

 

While people continue to DIE!

 

And for the Country's populace to be publicly told this!

 

Sets the example I won't be taking - or ever did!

[Rampant Rabbit]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

special seats and seats that stop danger".

Order  now while  stocks  last!

[Rampant Rabbit]

7 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

"Softly. softly", "go easy (on irresponsibility), "fines discretionary"

 

While people continue to DIE!

 

And for the Country's populace to be publicly told this!

 

Sets the example I won't be taking - or ever did!

really I couldnt care  less about THEM, they know what the ultimate  price  is, so  up to them, the only enforcement should be kids.

Any adult  injury if found  not wearing a  seat belt= no free  medical care form the state.....or their insurance, let em die

[DaddyWarbucks]

10 minutes ago, simola said:

A new income stream. 

...and not a moment too soon since they recently lost their backhanders from the ganja trade.

[ChrisKC]

4 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

really I couldnt care  less about THEM, they know what the ultimate  price  is, so  up to them, the only enforcement should be kids.

Any adult  injury if found  not wearing a  seat belt= no free  medical care form the state.....or their insurance, let em die

Is that a response to my comment? Do you think I exclude children? 

 

You don't care but some of us do! I don't want to hear of people dying or suffering even if they brought it upon themselves!

 

This matter of wearing seat belts and crash helmets should be taken seriously by everyone, including Government but in twenty years I have been here,  that same everyone, has done just about nothing!

[chilly07]

Outbreak of belts and or second hand seats screwed to load platforms on pickups?

[AnnaBanana]

11 minutes ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

...and not a moment too soon since they recently lost their backhanders from the ganja trade.

Look for those "backhanders" to return with additional laws in the foreseeable future.

The War on Drugs isn't going out with a "whimper" but with a "roar" if it goes out at all.

Buckle up for a wild ride.

[Russell17au]

The law has not been written properly. It should read that it is the officers discretion but only if it does not involve a falang then it will be the maximum coffee money ooops sorry that should have been fine

[Bangkok Barry]

So now we effectively have the police admitting that they won't enforce the law. We knew that anyway, but it's nice of them to make it clear to everyone.

[drgoon]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

These were typically wishy-washy indicating that the RTP hasn't really thought the issue through. The spokesman didn't even know what different car seats were.

Man..  these people are just plain dumb dumb dumb.

 

 

[George Aylesham]

1 hour ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

really I couldnt care  less about THEM, they know what the ultimate  price  is, so  up to them, the only enforcement should be kids.

Any adult  injury if found  not wearing a  seat belt= no free  medical care form the state.....or their insurance, let em die

Actually that's a pretty good idea - insurance invalidated by non-wearing of seatbelt (just as life insurance is invalidated by suicide)