Drivers Must Be Punished If They Are Found Drunk

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL

Drivers must be punished if they are found drunk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government needs to get serious to reduce the death toll on our roads

The New Year holiday season should mark a fresh beginning. Unfortunately, in Thailand, the holiday also marks the worst period for alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Thais will celebrate New Year in a festive mood, expressing their hopes for a bright future. But the number of road accidents usually rises during this long holiday because of drunk driving. Many drunk drivers get behind the wheel after a party, while some are not qualified to drive or are unable to cope with a long holiday journey on the road.

This is indeed unfortunate, because Thailand already suffers with one of the worst casualty rates in the world from road accidents. This is due to a combination of factors: Thais are among the heaviest consumers of alcohol, and law enforcement on drunk driving is lax.

Earlier this year the penalty for drunk driving was adjusted. The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Horrific accidents remain commonplace. And this year their number will no doubt increase along with the more than 1 million new cars that will hit the road as a result of the government's tax subsidy for first-time car buyers. Some of these first-time buyers will be inexperienced. Meanwhile, repeat offenders are back on the road, leaving other people's lives exposed to risk.

The festive season gives these drivers an excuse to drink and drive, alcohol being too often a part of festivals, holidays and celebrations here. The accident statistics during the Songkran festival last April showed that drunk driving remained the most common cause of road deaths, at 39 per cent of the total. That was followed by violation of the speed limit at 22 per cent, careless driving at 15 per cent, motorcycle-related accidents at 15 per cent, poor vision at 8 per cent, and fatigue at 2.5 per cent.

Tour buses are also one of the main causes of accidents. Their drivers usually try to complete as many round trips as possible over the holiday season to ensure a good profit from the increased number of travellers. But these drivers are not always fit to drive. Some use stimulants in an attempt to keep awake and alert. Bus accidents often happen in the early hours of the morning because drivers are asleep at the wheel. This is not to mention the poor condition of some buses.

Although the public campaign for zero tolerance of drunk driving during the "dangerous seven days" kicked off on December 27, we have already seen fatal road accidents.

A combination of measures should be strictly enforced. Drunk drivers must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Car passengers must share the blame for letting them get behind the wheel; they can do more to prevent crime and death. Stiffer laws should be enacted. The authorities must strictly enforce roadside breath tests. And society in general must act more responsibly. For instance, any celebrity caught drunk driving should be made to do strict community service, if only to serve as an example to young people.

The authorities aim to reduce accident statistics this weekend, but the statistics will never be as telling as the faces and feelings of the injured parties and the families of the victims when they realise that their holiday, which should have been a joyful event, has turned into pain or a life beyond repair because of a drunk or dangerous driver.

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

[Ragzilb]

The big drivers like busses and trucks are easy to fix, just make all salery pr hour, and not per trip, then theywill start to take their time longer in order to earn more and traffic danger is reduces by 50% or more. If government really where thinking of peoples safety speed limit would be a limit, not an option.

Well Drive safely and Happy New year to all

[OzMick]

Drunk drivers ".....subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine." That would be if the BIB enforces the law instead of taking a bribe, accompanied by a promise to drive carefully.

[martynsnowmans]

The big drivers like busses and trucks are easy to fix, just make all salery pr hour, and not per trip, then theywill start to take their time longer in order to earn more and traffic danger is reduces by 50% or more. If government really where thinking of peoples safety speed limit would be a limit, not an option.

Well Drive safely and Happy New year to all

how do you work out changing from paid per trip to per hour would change any thing ....... they may drive slower but would do many more hours on the roads

to make up the pay diffarence and be even more dangerous to other road users , you would need to limit the amount of hours per 24 they could drive, the same as a taco in the u.k .

[maturebrit]

EDITORIAL

Drivers must be punished if they are found drunk

The Nation December

BANGKOK: -- The government needs to get serious to reduce the death toll on our roads

The New Year holiday season should mark a fresh beginning. Unfortunately, in Thailand, the holiday also marks the worst period for alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Thais will celebrate New Year in a festive mood, expressing their hopes for a bright future. But the number of road accidents usually rises during this long holiday because of drunk driving. Many drunk drivers get behind the wheel after a party, while some are not qualified to drive or are unable to cope with a long holiday journey on the road.

This is indeed unfortunate, because Thailand already suffers with one of the worst casualty rates in the world from road accidents. This is due to a combination of factors: Thais are among the heaviest consumers of alcohol, and law enforcement on drunk driving is lax.

Earlier this year the penalty for drunk driving was adjusted. The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Horrific accidents remain commonplace. And this year their number will no doubt increase along with the more than 1 million new cars that will hit the road as a result of the government's tax subsidy for first-time car buyers. Some of these first-time buyers will be inexperienced. Meanwhile, repeat offenders are back on the road, leaving other people's lives exposed to risk.

The festive season gives these drivers an excuse to drink and drive, alcohol being too often a part of festivals, holidays and celebrations here. The accident statistics during the Songkran festival last April showed that drunk driving remained the most common cause of road deaths, at 39 per cent of the total. That was followed by violation of the speed limit at 22 per cent, careless driving at 15 per cent, motorcycle-related accidents at 15 per cent, poor vision at 8 per cent, and fatigue at 2.5 per cent.

Tour buses are also one of the main causes of accidents. Their drivers usually try to complete as many round trips as possible over the holiday season to ensure a good profit from the increased number of travellers. But these drivers are not always fit to drive. Some use stimulants in an attempt to keep awake and alert. Bus accidents often happen in the early hours of the morning because drivers are asleep at the wheel. This is not to mention the poor condition of some buses.

Although the public campaign for zero tolerance of drunk driving during the "dangerous seven days" kicked off on December 27, we have already seen fatal road accidents.

A combination of measures should be strictly enforced. Drunk drivers must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Car passengers must share the blame for letting them get behind the wheel; they can do more to prevent crime and death. Stiffer laws should be enacted. The authorities must strictly enforce roadside breath tests. And society in general must act more responsibly. For instance, any celebrity caught drunk driving should be made to do strict community service, if only to serve as an example to young people.

The authorities aim to reduce accident statistics this weekend, but the statistics will never be as telling as the faces and feelings of the injured parties and the families of the victims when they realise that their holiday, which should have been a joyful event, has turned into pain or a life beyond repair because of a drunk or dangerous driver.

-- The Nation 2012-12-30

what you say is right but Thai people see life as a lottery....they weigh up the odds. ...its not the crime....its the GETTING CAUGHT..

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect App

[meatboy]

what happens to all the drunk drivers who are caught at the check points,do they pay the fine and then sent on their way?they all should be locked up in a compound till sober,then where could all the vehicles be parked.

[OzMick]

Does anybody think the red bull Ferrari driver had never driven intoxicated before? That he had never previously been stopped by the BIB while doing so? And yet, this is his first offense.

You want to stop drunk drivers? Pass a law where their vehicle is confiscated to be sold at public auction - 10% of the proceeds to the BIB making the arrest.

[Joop50]

Ok, drunk driving is a crime but what about using the mobile phone, more and more people use them which causes many dangerous situations.

[noitom]

As another poster indicated, what happened to the case of the Ferrari hit and run cop killing by the heir of Red Bull four months ago? It was stated in this newspaper that police found the driver to have alcohol and drugs in his blood testing, the cop was dragged after impact for two kilometers through the streets of Bangkok and senior police and family staff originally colluded to obstruct justice and investigation by bribing a staff member to "take the fall."

Last we heard about this in September in tis newspaper, the police were promising to enforce indictments and warrants for the arrest of the Ferrari driver. There has been no news since on this high profile case which was all the news rage for two-three weeks.

The newspaper's editorial advocating 'punishing" drunk driving conspicuously omits any reference to this heinous hit and run cop killing incident. How could anyone take this newspaper seriously when it ignores such a visible travesty? How could anyone take the idea of Thailand punishing drunk drivers seriously? Thailand can't even prosecute its most visible case of drunk hit and run and death.

[jaltsc]

"The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel."

The real increase of punishment is the increase of tea money from 300 baht to 500 baht. That is if anyone not involved in a auto crash is even stopped

[steve down under]

The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

So does that mean if you are a passenger in a vehicle who has had a night out and got a little bit the worse for wear or still has a bottle of beer in your hand then you are potentially going to end up in the nick or fined a stupid amount of money ?? coz that is how I read the meaning of the article doesnt seem to me to be a way of getting the drunken idiot drivers off the road if it is ,just another way of raising some Tea Money >

[Thai at Heart]

"The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel."

The real increase of punishment is the increase of tea money from 300 baht to 500 baht. That is if anyone not involved in a auto crash is even stopped

What does the office of alcoholic beverages do? Do they serve cocktails instead of coffee?

[OzMick]

"The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel."

The real increase of punishment is the increase of tea money from 300 baht to 500 baht. That is if anyone not involved in a auto crash is even stopped

What does the office of alcoholic beverages do? Do they serve cocktails instead of coffee?

Sounds like a fun place. I was going to ask for their address, but don't bother - I'll wait until a couple of red shirts get jailed and Korkaew will announce all their contact details.

[Halion]

The current fine is indeed a significant deterent to most Thais. However, the problem likes in the murky pool that implicates all legal issues in this country. Bribery and corruption. The local constabulary use the severity of the penalties to leverage their Tea Money pay off . If the RTP have no respect for the law and the local population know exactly how the system works.

Should the G

[harrry]

The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

So does that mean if you are a passenger in a vehicle who has had a night out and got a little bit the worse for wear or still has a bottle of beer in your hand then you are potentially going to end up in the nick or fined a stupid amount of money ?? coz that is how I read the meaning of the article doesnt seem to me to be a way of getting the drunken idiot drivers off the road if it is ,just another way of raising some Tea Money >

It is to stop the sober passenger from claiming to be the driver. Other countries have similar laws.

[smedly]

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/69314/unconscious-drunk-driver-traffic-chaos-central-pattaya/

very on topic

also the penalty for hit and run should be similar as drunk driving, all too often they kill someone and leave the scene which is most likely the case below

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-news/69314/unconscious-drunk-driver-traffic-chaos-central-pattaya/

[jerrysteve]

Don't hold your breath on any severe PUNISHMENTS being handed down....

As long as Judges and Police can be bought and sold don't count on anything being done.

.

.

[maidu]

I assume Chalerm has a chauffeur (who isn't also drunk, most of the day).

The big drivers like busses and trucks are easy to fix, just make all salery pr hour, and not per trip, then theywill start to take their time longer in order to earn more and traffic danger is reduces by 50% or more. If government really where thinking of peoples safety speed limit would be a limit, not an option.

Well Drive safely and Happy New year to all

Drunk drivers ".....subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine." That would be if the BIB enforces the law instead of taking a bribe, accompanied by a promise to drive carefully.

Two reasons why such a law could never get enforced in Chiang Rai (northernmost Thailand) where I reside:

1. Police never, ever enforce 'moving violations'. Never has a speeding ticket or going-thru-red-light ticket been issued. Never, as far as I know, has there ever been a ticket for reckless driving, etc.

2. Like police everywhere in Thailand, what you represent (your social strata, color of skin, facial featues, expensive car) is 95% of whether you can get in trouble here. I was driving with a farang once, who, when approached by a cop for doing something wrong, the farang showed an old wrindled card from his wallet (he said it was from the Royals), and the cop just grinned, winked, and waved us on without a word spoken.

[robertthebruce]

As another poster indicated, what happened to the case of the Ferrari hit and run cop killing by the heir of Red Bull four months ago? It was stated in this newspaper that police found the driver to have alcohol and drugs in his blood testing, the cop was dragged after impact for two kilometers through the streets of Bangkok and senior police and family staff originally colluded to obstruct justice and investigation by bribing a staff member to "take the fall."

Last we heard about this in September in tis newspaper, the police were promising to enforce indictments and warrants for the arrest of the Ferrari driver. There has been no news since on this high profile case which was all the news rage for two-three weeks.

The newspaper's editorial advocating 'punishing" drunk driving conspicuously omits any reference to this heinous hit and run cop killing incident. How could anyone take this newspaper seriously when it ignores such a visible travesty? How could anyone take the idea of Thailand punishing drunk drivers seriously? Thailand can't even prosecute its most visible case of drunk hit and run and death.

Well said... with you 100 percent...

[Morch]

Putting aside the issue of enforcement, this is sort of baffling.

Drunk drivers should be punished, agreed. But why punish a responsible group of people going for the "designated driver" option?

Does this apply to taxi passengers as well? How are people supposed to get back home after a night out?

[smedly]

Passengers in a vehicle should not be responsible for the drivers condition, I can think of lots of senarios were this would be simply daft, it is a nice thought though under certain conditions but would should require a lot of evidence to prove the passenger/s was aware of the drivers condition

I think in Thailand it should be good enough to arrest the driver

and for falangs that routinely drink and drive around Pattaya - beware, the BIB are setting up checkpoints around the city and you will go to jail if caught

[chooka]

The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

So does that mean if you are a passenger in a vehicle who has had a night out and got a little bit the worse for wear or still has a bottle of beer in your hand then you are potentially going to end up in the nick or fined a stupid amount of money ?? coz that is how I read the meaning of the article doesnt seem to me to be a way of getting the drunken idiot drivers off the road if it is ,just another way of raising some Tea Money >

It does say occupants which would infer all persons in the vehicle. If it was just the driver then I would assume that it would read something like "A person found driving or in charge of a motor vehicle."

[whybother]

Maybe they should fix the breathalysers.

Bangkok police riding around with broken breathalyzers

[chooka]

Putting aside the issue of enforcement, this is sort of baffling.

Drunk drivers should be punished, agreed. But why punish a responsible group of people going for the "designated driver" option?

Does this apply to taxi passengers as well? How are people supposed to get back home after a night out?

You stagger home, oh be careful not to stagger into the path of a vehicle.

what the heck if your to pissed to walk then drive home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pMMJznRMhtc

[robertthebruce]

As another poster indicated, what happened to the case of the Ferrari hit and run cop killing by the heir of Red Bull four months ago? It was stated in this newspaper that police found the driver to have alcohol and drugs in his blood testing, the cop was dragged after impact for two kilometers through the streets of Bangkok and senior police and family staff originally colluded to obstruct justice and investigation by bribing a staff member to "take the fall."

Last we heard about this in September in tis newspaper, the police were promising to enforce indictments and warrants for the arrest of the Ferrari driver. There has been no news since on this high profile case which was all the news rage for two-three weeks.

The newspaper's editorial advocating 'punishing" drunk driving conspicuously omits any reference to this heinous hit and run cop killing incident. How could anyone take this newspaper seriously when it ignores such a visible travesty? How could anyone take the idea of Thailand punishing drunk drivers seriously? Thailand can't even prosecute its most visible case of drunk hit and run and death.

Well said... with you 100 percent...

Whatever happened about that case anyway ??? has it all went quiet...????

[sirchai]

"Thais are among the heaviest consumers of alcohol, and law enforcement on drunk driving is lax."

"Earlier this year the penalty for drunk driving was adjusted. The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel."

"The authorities aim to reduce accident statistics this weekend, but the statistics will never be as telling as the faces and feelings of the injured parties and the families of the victims when they realise that their holiday, which should have been a joyful event, has turned into pain or a life beyond repair because of a drunk or dangerous drivers.

Inexperienced, drunk, stupid and dangerous drivers seem to be the majority. ---

[smedly]

I guess if you read it and take literal it means they have banned drinking in moving vehicles - makes more sense

[chooka]

I guess if you read it and take literal it means they have banned drinking in moving vehicles - makes more sense

That's pretty much what it says. 6 months imprisonment for sitting in the back seat and having a cold beer whilst those convicted of murder and on death row are out on bail.

[arthurwait]

The big drivers like busses and trucks are easy to fix, just make all salery pr hour, and not per trip, then theywill start to take their time longer in order to earn more and traffic danger is reduces by 50% or more. If government really where thinking of peoples safety speed limit would be a limit, not an option.

Well Drive safely and Happy New year to all

Except the owners won't change to that and many are owner drivers.

It's usually alcohol that is the problem and not tiredness except from sitting up the night before drinking.

[joecos]

The Office of Alcoholic Beverages announced that occupants of vehicles of any kind who drink alcohol while travelling are now subject to six months' imprisonment and/or a Bt60,000 fine. But the new penalty still doesn't seem strong enough to deter careless drivers from getting behind the wheel.

So does that mean if you are a passenger in a vehicle who has had a night out and got a little bit the worse for wear or still has a bottle of beer in your hand then you are potentially going to end up in the nick or fined a stupid amount of money ?? coz that is how I read the meaning of the article doesnt seem to me to be a way of getting the drunken idiot drivers off the road if it is ,just another way of raising some Tea Money >

If you are a passenger in the same car as a drunk driver, you know he/she is drunk, you get the same sentence as he/she.