Sudden Impact: Phuket Helmet Law Crackdown Starts Today

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SUDDEN IMPACT: Phuket helmet law crackdown starts today

Motorcycle taxi drivers in Patong don helmets as part of a media event in December last year. File photo.

PHUKET: -- Phuket City Traffic Police have been ordered to take more serious action against motorcyclists riding without helmets by fining passengers as well as drivers.

The order was issued by Phuket Police Commander Pekad Tantipong as part of a crackdown that starts today.

In May and June, 50 officers will crack down more heavily on motorcycle drivers without helmets and issue warnings to passengers. From July, passengers without helmets will also face fines.

Phuket City Police Commander Pekad Tantipong said police will enforce the law day and night, with nighttime checks less frequent because of a lack of officers.

An often-ignored Thai traffic law states that both drivers and passengers without helmets can be fined up to 500 baht. A driver transporting a passenger not wearing a helmet is subject to an additional fine of up to 1,000 baht.

The Phuket Land Transport Office has run public service announcements on a local cable television channel in recent months warning motorbike passengers they face fines if caught without a helmet.

One shows a woman who denies a request by a motorcycle taxi driver to don a helmet running up the street with a police officer in hot pursuit.

In reality, such scenes are virtually unknown in Phuket, where most people are unaware of the law because it is so seldom enforced.

But all that is set to change under the new crackdown, Maj Gen Pekad said.

Some riders who flaunt the law will not be left empty-handed after forking over cash for their fines, however.

As part of a public awareness campaign, Phuket City Police have prepared about 3,000 helmets to give away free to offending drivers before the July crackdown.

According to statistics provided by the Phuket City Traffic Department, which covers five tambons in Muang Phuket District, accidents and fatalities are on the rise.

There were 1,239 accidents resulting in 36 deaths in 2008, while 2009 saw 1,733 accidents with 48 deaths.

Many deaths and serious injuries are the result of motorcyclists not wearing helmets.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-05-01

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[gotlost]

Phuket your late on this one. Chiang Mai has been racking in the money for a couple of years now. On a daily bases I see at least 3 bike stops per day around town.

[shaunoro]

Phuket has been does this every year for a long time now.

Once the crackdown is over, crash helmets will be off.

[ScubaBuddha]

Phuket has been does this every year for a long time now.

They have never, at least not in the last 10 years, enforced helmets on passengers in Phuket. Would be really great if they started making the parents get helmets for the young children who always ride as a passenger with no helmet.

This would explain the rows of kids helmets I saw for sale at the helmet shop yesterday.

Edited May 2, 2010 by ScubaBuddha

[NBT TV Phuket]

item--7 on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1326 &

The Helmet law is to fully cover passengers from July 1st this year.

Starting July 1st, passengers on the back of motorbikes are required by law to wear safety helmets. This is in addition to requirement for drivers. The law will be implemented 100% in the Phuket City area, according to the provincial police commander, Pol. Major General Pikad Tantitpong. He called a meeting with all related agencies to make them understand before enforcement. Those who fail to abide by the law are to face a minimum of a 200 baht fine. The move is welcomed by Public Health specialist Dr. Wiwat Sritanamote who reported that 87% of accident casualties were caused by motorbike driving. He stressed that one seventh of motorbikes’ fatal cases are passengers. The serious enforcement of the safety helmet law for passengers is expected to reduce fatal cases from motorbike accidents by about 30%.

related item-6- Members of taxis and motorbikes for hire in Patong are offered free vaccinations against influenza A H1N1.

Around 700 people comprising drivers of taxis, tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, vehicles for hire, and attendants along with their families members, were given vaccines against the A H1N1 virus. The free vaccinations were provided by Patong Hospital on Monday. The move was part of the safety measures recognized by the public hospital. It saw that this group of people is in the hospitality and service industry and exposed to clients or passengers who are mostly tourists. Giving them immunity means safety for others. Official figures show that around 6,000 people in Phuket have been vaccinated. The health official urged high risk groups, such as women over 3 months pregnant, over weight and disabled people, to have vaccines at public hospitals.

weekly Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am & repeated on satellite C Band (usually net black) frequency 4134 Mhz at symbolate 2530 at 1pm & usually repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm, 1.30am & 6.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & repeated on FM108 Mazz Radio in Phuket; Friday 7th May 2010 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews

Edited May 7, 2010 by NBT TV Phuket

[Valentine]

GF tells me they have been enforcing this law in Udon for years. Who knows why it has taken Phuket so long to wake up to the fact that non enforcement of the law over the past years has resulted in the needless loss of many lives. For the law to be truly effective there also needs to be education/

[stevenl]

So far, no enforcement whatsoever at Chalong Circle.

There have been a lot of roadblocks the last few days though.

[bustersizemore]

Why don't the police focus their enforcement efforts on basic traffic infractions that cause many of the accidents as follows? 

1. driving on the correct side of the street

2. yielding to oncoming traffic

3. driving within the designated speed limits

4. overtaking(passing) other vehicles on the right and only in designated passing zones

5. stopping at red lights and at intersections with stop signs

6. parking vehicles only in designated parking areas and not in the street

7. tailgating

[stuandchris]

It will only be enforced at checkpoints and Chalong circle, Thai's put the helmet on as they approach and take them off straight after.

You have to enforce this on the roads not as a money making exersize at check points. Along with all the other laws that are ignored. Such as

Driving on the wrong side of the street

Speeding

Joining traffic lanes illegaly

not using the left lane

Ilegal sidecars

the list is endless and the BIB don't care as long as they get their money

[LivinLOS]

The way policing seems to be done here is they only act on a crime, when they are out with their fine books at the ready.. At any other time, a helmetless 12 year old on a untaxed scooter can drive right past them and they wont bat an eyelid. It as tho laws are only laws during brief, specific moments, and at any other time its not the policemans job to enforce the rules.

[gotlost]

Why don't the police focus their enforcement efforts on basic traffic infractions that cause many of the accidents as follows?

1. driving on the correct side of the street

2. yielding to oncoming traffic

3. driving within the designated speed limits

4. overtaking(passing) other vehicles on the right and only in designated passing zones

5. stopping at red lights and at intersections with stop signs

6. parking vehicles only in designated parking areas and not in the street

7. tailgating

[petercallen]

It will be the same as when they brought the law in about not using a cellular phone when driving/riding,

they fined offenders for about a week and then forgot the law exists.

[ScubaBuddha]

The way policing seems to be done here is they only act on a crime, when they are out with their fine books at the ready.. At any other time, a helmetless 12 year old on a untaxed scooter can drive right past them and they wont bat an eyelid. It as tho laws are only laws during brief, specific moments, and at any other time its not the policemans job to enforce the rules.

Yes..and, from the perspective of the offender, laws are only voilated if a policeman is there to enforce them, otherwise, no offense. I couldn't count who many times I have had a Thai on the back of my bike and was told. "You can go..no police." when sitting at a red light, including just today!

[fiddlehead]

Came through a roadblock on Choafa East about one km north of the zoo's turnoff today. (on my motorbike)

They were stopping all cars and checking drivers licenses.

Waved me through both times (had my helmet on)

I noticed they also waved motorbikes through that had passengers without helmets.

So apparently, they are not aware yet of this new order that supposedly starts today.

[ScubaBuddha]

Came through a roadblock on Choafa East about one km north of the zoo's turnoff today. (on my motorbike)

They were stopping all cars and checking drivers licenses.

Waved me through both times (had my helmet on)

I noticed they also waved motorbikes through that had passengers without helmets.

So apparently, they are not aware yet of this new order that supposedly starts today.

Hi Fiddle,

The article is confusing and at first glance I thought the same thing, but:

From July, passengers without helmets will also face fines.

I read another source that said that too. Currently passengers are still not wearing helmets through Chalong circle, and I have passed through several times in the last week with a helmet-less passenger and never given the the warning, but I guess this crackdown is just for Phuket town according to the NBT article? We'll see but I can't believe the Chalong, Patong, Karon, etc. cops will miss a revenue generator like this one.

[mufcsamui]

Why don't the police focus their enforcement efforts on basic traffic infractions that cause many of the accidents as follows?

1. driving on the correct side of the street

2. yielding to oncoming traffic

3. driving within the designated speed limits

4. overtaking(passing) other vehicles on the right and only in designated passing zones

5. stopping at red lights and at intersections with stop signs

6. parking vehicles only in designated parking areas and not in the street

7. tailgating

I think wearing a helmet is pretty basic and saves lives