Phuket Crash Helmet Campaign: Fines Start July 1, 2011

[webfact]

Phuket crash helmet campaign: fines start July 1, 2011

Violators of the helmet law wait to collect their licenses after

a recent showing of the movie at Phuket City Police Station.

PHUKET: -- The public awareness part of the Phuket City Police “100% motorcycle helmet use” campaign will run another full year before offenders will face fines, it has been announced.

The campaign, which began in April, is intended to bring helmet use in Phuket City Police District to 100%, both among operators and their passengers.

July 1 this year was initially set to be the ‘D-Day’ when police would begin fining all offenders, but when the day came Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit unveiled a surprising new tactic: rather than fine offenders, police confiscated their licenses and held them until the offender viewed a locally-produced movie showing graphic images of road accident victims.

The results have been a marked increase in helmet use in Phuket City Police District, which also includes Wichit and Rassada municipalities as well as tambon Koh Kaew.

Snr Sgt Maj Phaisan Rodthieng of the Phuket City Police Traffic told the Gazette that 1,432 people viewed the movie between July 3 and July 30. The offenders represented a vast cross section of society, with people involved in nearly every type of occupation included.

He estimated that there are about 70 people whose licenses are being held that have yet to view it.

The number of viewers has been decreasing. A total of 396 people in total attended viewings on the first two days, but the figure had fallen to 66 viewers on July 30.

Col Wanchai told the Gazette the reduction in the number of offenders was a positive sign, but he was concerned that helmet use still seems to decrease after dark.

“I’d like to tell them that we are continuing to check people at night, so please wear your helmets. It is for your own good,” he said.

“The movie campaign will continue for one year, until July 1, 2011, at which time we will begin to fine offenders,” he said.

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 law has seldom been enforced for passengers, but Col Wanchai is on a mission to see that change in the area under his control.

The campaign has won national acclaim. Soon after its launch, visiting Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam said he would encourage police departments across the South to launch similar projects.

Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop, who is also pleased with the effort, has reportedly asked other police districts on the island to follow suit.

Road accident statistics released by Phuket City Police show a significant reduction in the number of road accidents year-on-year, from 131 in July, 2009 to 106 in July, 2010.

There were seven dead and 130 injured in road accidents in July 2009 compared to six dead and 47 injured in July, 2010.

In both periods the vast majority of those injured and killed were on motorbikes.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-08-04

[Boater]

so the police are not taking Tea Money anymore?

[PoorSucker]

This would not work here on Koh Samui.

Nobody have driving licenses here.

[thomo]

July 1 this year was initially set to be the ‘D-Day’ when police would begin fining all offenders

Enforcing the law.... what novel idea.

Although, I must say that forcing people to watch the graphic safety video is a good idea. Hope it will sink into some of their skulls.

[ScubaBuddha]

I have to say...driving around Phuket town during the daytime and helmet use is dam_n near 100% now, even on passengers and children!! Sadly once you get outside town it's back down to 50%, then once dark out outside town it drops back down to the usual 10-20%.

[JetsetBkk]

I have to say...driving around Phuket town during the daytime and helmet use is dam_n near 100% now, even on passengers and children!! Sadly once you get outside town it's back down to 50%, then once dark out outside town it drops back down to the usual 10-20%.

Yes, school closing time in Phuket town is now fun to watch - all the little kids with helmets on a bike with mum... it's quite a fashion parade.

The sad thing is, mum was only doing it to save paying the BiB 300 baht. The thought that it may save their lives doesn't really come into the equation.

[Valentine]

I was in Bangkok hospital yesterday & they have quite an array of fashionable but good quality helmets with safety glasses for sale at Baht 200. Apparently cheaper than the same ones at outside shops. Staff at the hospital yesterday had a rude awakening upon arrival at work when a bunch of them were picked up by the police for not wearing helmets. So even though the hospital has an active ongoing campaign for the use of helmets apparently some of the staff take no notice. Maybe those who have to watch the video may actually come to the conclusion they have to wear helmets for their own safety rather than just avoiding a fine. I have always thought the helmet law needed an education campaign to make it truly effective.