People with health issues may be banned from driving in Thailand

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DRIVING
People with health issues may be banned from driving
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE MEDICAL COUNCIL is planning to propose a driving ban for patients whose health condition could turn them into dangerous drivers.

In foreign countries, people with heart diseases, severe forms of diabetes, and epilepsy are barred from getting behind the wheels as research shows they rank among the most common causes of road accidents.

"They are just behind drunk driving," the council's deputy secretary-general Ittaporn Kanacharoen said yesterday.

Drivers' health conditions have become a hot issue this month in the wake of a tragic accident. On June 11, an epileptic former school director in Nong Bua Lamphu province had a seizure behind the wheel and failed to control his car, killing four students and injuring 11 others.

According to Ittaporn, representatives from the Medical Council, the Department of Land Transport, and people, including entrepreneurs, will work together in drafting guidelines on how to prevent some patients from causing road accidents. "We expect to get clear-cut guidelines within 30 days," he said.

He said applicants for driving licences must clearly identify their health conditions and illness history. They must also produce doctor certificates. Ittaporn said there were about 1.2 million to 1.4 million epilepsy patients in Thailand.

-- The Nation 2014-06-18

[EricBerg]

Doesn't sound convincing knowing there are thousands of unlicensed drivers. When there's no law enforcement on it, it's useless to forbid certain groups to drive.

[Thai at Heart]

Give all the existing driver a test and 30 to 50% will be off in a day.

[jaltsc]

" 'They are just behind drunk driving,' the council's deputy secretary-general Ittaporn Kanacharoen said yesterday"

And....We see how well that law is enforced.

[Kimagure]

I hope lack of a brain is considered a health issue.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Kimagure

[JRSoul]

When there is a "slap on the wrist" punishment for driving under-age, unlicenced and causing multiple deaths, Thailand's epileptics must be shaking in their boots at the thought of what might happen to them should they ignore the ban.

[GentlemanJim]

When there is a "slap on the wrist" punishment for driving under-age, unlicenced and causing multiple deaths, Thailand's epileptics must be shaking in their boots at the thought of what might happen to them should they ignore the ban.

In a black humour way your last sentence is kind of funny!

All this is pointless bosh until the requirement to have a licence in order to drive is taken seriously under the law.

[doremifasol]

Good plan, now I am looking forward to read:

"People with health issues may be banned from cooking and vending food"

[Tokay]

No real enforcement = no license needed.

Start throwing people in jail and taking their cars/trucks from them. Maybe then they will line up to learn how to drive and get a license.

[Thanet]

They'll drive anyway.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Mean while it is ok for a 10o to ride a Honda Wae around, cops never stop them and the worse to expcet if caught as an unlicenced driver is a 100B bribe.

While the intentions in this story are all good and well, nothng will happen with corrupt and incompentent enforcement.

[ezzra]

And how exactly, prey tell, are they going to enforce that? driver's education, common

sense and civic responsibility will have to come into paly to sway a disqualified driver

to do the right thing... the way i see it, it isn't going to happened...

[eddie61]

If mental retardation were considered a health issue, the roads would be empty

[chainarong]

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When there is a "slap on the wrist" punishment for driving under-age, unlicenced and causing multiple deaths, Thailand's epileptics must be shaking in their boots at the thought of what might happen to them should they ignore the ban.

Not only that , they, like most Thai's have a total disregard for one another , once behind the wheel or sitting on motorised transport.

[expatsupreme]

I mean who the &lt;deleted&gt; does not have a heart disease when they are older, that is just nonsense.... 70% over 60 would be banned from driving.... so funny!!!

[jacko45k]

Oh I don't think health is the most common cause of road accidents here in Thailand.

Lack of sobriety, sense and skill might contribute more than sick.

[kamahele]

I'm all for making the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians but the problem is enforcement as I'm sure many will agree. There are loads of good laws on the books in Thailand which are never enforced or only enforced when convenient

[Always18]

"They must also produce doctor's certificates"......................last one I needed was obtained by my wife upon payment of 30 Baht, and production of my passport, whilst I waited in the car (double parked) outside the clinic!

[upena]

All just a reaction to the guy that had an epileptic seizure and crashed into and killed 4 schoolchildren.

[glasswort]

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I mean who the <deleted> does not have a heart disease when they are older, that is just nonsense.... 70% over 60 would be banned from driving.... so funny!!!

As an OAP nearing 70 and in very good health I resent your statement that 70% of people over 60 have heart problems.

Edited June 18, 2014 by glasswort

[rethaier]

The last time I saw the news they said this guy had a high BAC. Seems he was drunk.

[RPCVguy]

Sooo... Needing to soon renew my current 5-yr driver's licenses (car and motorcycle) ...

1. Do we now need to bring a doctor's certificate? (Step-daughter's certainly didn't, but maybe different rules.)
2. I continue to see differing advice as to whether to renew before or after the expiration date. Any current news on that topic?

I don't expect problems. I have a yellow book, and no health issues other than needing to wear glasses - but the reports vary over the course of older threads.

Edited June 18, 2014 by RPCVguy

[rethaier]

Oh I don't think health is the most common cause of road accidents here in Thailand.

Lack of sobriety, sense and skill might contribute more than sick.

I could not agree more. Everywhere I have lived, Perth, SAn Diego, Houston, Amsterdam, London and Munich all claim to have the worlds worst drivers but they obviously have never been to Thailand. In all my first 65 years I never had an accident. Within my first year in Thailand I have been hit twice by motorbikes and once by a car. My Thai wife has been knocked off her motorbike 5 times over theo course of her life and she is a very careful driver, and she has been hit once in the car.

[tezzainoz]

Thais loosing face is the biggest killer on thai roads

Proof is here

[cup-O-coffee]

Dear Medical Council,

Yeah... whatever!

Sincerely,

C.O.C. and the rest of the world.

[Bernard Flint]

If mental retardation were considered a health issue, the roads would be empty

I assum you mean there are 1000,s of retarded non thais too

[monkey4u]

If Mental health sufferers are banned from driving

I guess next to NO ONE will be on the roads

[TeeKay]

Having a law is one the, enforcement is another. It's foolish to think Thai law enforcement is up to the task.

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[mok199]

lets hope that includes all the thais that have trouble staying awake,behind the wheel.....

[BIACK]

50% don't have a license, and are brain dead on the road. !!