Motorists violating Thai traffic laws face harsher action

[webfact]

Motorists violating road laws face harsher action
PHATHINYA IAMTAN



BANGKOK: -- MOTORISTS ARE to face tougher enforcement of traffic laws including traffic-fine collection, with the planned introduction of an e-ticket system and driving licence suspension for repeat offences.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Adul Narongsak yesterday said tough measures would be taken against those who ignored tickets issued for traffic offences.

"We will introduce the e-ticket system," he said. "Information at the Land Transport Department's computer system will then be updated constantly. This means the department won't accept car-tax payment from drivers who do not pay traffic fines."

Without such payments, drivers risk arrest for driving untaxed vehicles.

Continuing, Adul said that from now on motorists would need to take offences very seriously indeed. "Traffic laws have their sanctity," he said.

According to him, the relevant authorities have already agreed on the e-ticket system idea. Now legal amendments will be proposed in order to implement it.

"We will soon present this proposal to the National Council for Peace and Order," Adul said.

The Land Transport Department's deputy director-general Wattana Patcharachon said his department would introduce driving-licence suspension as a punishment against repeat offenders in September.

"If you jump the red light for the first time, you will be fined," he said. But if you do it for a second time within one year, your driving licence will be suspended for 30 days."

He said the suspension could last for 60 to 90 days for third-time offenders.

"If you do it for the fourth time, your driving licence will be revoked," Wattana added.


-- The Nation 2014-06-26

[lee b]

If you jump a red light for the first time you should be banned for life, as you may end someone elses ! Get tougher guys!!!!!

[T_Dog]

I don't see how you can ever jump a red light in Thailand as traffic keeps flowing through several seconds after the light is red. Enforcement for traffic laws is certainly needed here.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Harsher Action ", " crackdowns " etc are all part of the vocabulary of regular statements on all sorts of things here and that's about as far as it goes.

It's all meaningless talk to make it sound as if something is being done and ends up being simply a cry of ' Wolf '.

[Jasun]

Since when did they issue real tickets?

[Stradavarius37]

If you jump a red light for the first time you should be banned for life, as you may end someone elses ! Get tougher guys!!!!!

Not enough Lee - let's also castrate them and forcibly anal probe them too. Lighten up dude, you'll live longer.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[kurnell]

Enforcing laws would improve traffic flow no end. <deleted> bus drivers that use the left turn lane when going straight make nearly homicidal

[Mango Bob]

It's great if it happens. But I will believe it when I see it.

[selftaopath]

I hope enforcement of traffic laws is nation wide. Please do something in Isaan too. Many people here seem to "not having a clue" a/b operating a motor vehicle safely. Hell most don't have a license.

NCPO show us don't tell us PLEASE.

[NeverSure]

OH NO! Tea money just went from 200 to 300 baht?

[thesetat2013]

Seriously! What good is making laws with punishment if the police just use and abuse them to collect money for their lovers and parties? Until they get rid of the corrupt police who make checkpoints simply to fatten their pockets then any law the NCPO makes will be pointless....

[canuckamuck]

I agree there needs to be enforcement of traffic, but once again they are talking about enforcement that can be done while standing on the corner. The really dangerous stuff happens in the traffic flow, and you have a zero percent chance of getting a ticket out there. You can even pass a cop while driving in the oncoming lane. Nothing will happen.

But I also feel that suspension of a license for two infractions is a bit over the top. You have to start with reality. Take one ride in a taxi and count the infractions per trip. There would be no one with a license after the first week.

[ChrisY1]

Adul....?

[NeverSure]

I agree there needs to be enforcement of traffic, but once again they are talking about enforcement that can be done while standing on the corner. The really dangerous stuff happens in the traffic flow, and you have a zero percent chance of getting a ticket out there. You can even pass a cop while driving in the oncoming lane. Nothing will happen.

But I also feel that suspension of a license for two infractions is a bit over the top. You have to start with reality. Take one ride in a taxi and count the infractions per trip. There would be no one with a license after the first week.

Agree, that's a bit harsh. You could however get a 6 month suspension for 3 infractions in 2 years in places in the US. Drunk driving and you're off to jail until your hearing, and your car is towed and impounded. It costs about $5,000 to get out of the mess of a DUI in the US, and a second offense will get you a bunch of jail time, a big fine and loss of license for several years. Driving while license is suspended is a big jail sentence.

Any of the above might make your insurance premiums so high you couldn't afford to drive anyway.

There is a reason that driving is more sane in 1st world countries.

[phutoie2]

OH NO! Tea money just went from 200 to 300 baht?

More than that now. Tuesday 24 Jun.

Speed trap with camera's deployed sneakily some distance up the road and a large checkpoint and pay station (desk set up) on R21 - Saraburi- Lomsak Road. Fines were starting at 400 THB.

[Chao Lao Beach]

As much as I hate them, Red Light cameras and Speed Cameras could work wonders in Thailand, at least the BIB would be by-passed and the fine would just be automated.

[ezzra]

2 days ago I was 'caught" riding my moto on the highway back from CW 90 days reporting,

the cop who stopped me was in a very good mood and after 10 minuet of jubilant bantering,

( in Thai) he seems to take a shine to me and ask for something to buy " M150" with,

to resolve the issue,

I was happy to oblige (100 ) and I was on my way... so much for a "harsh action "

[alant]

As much as I hate them, Red Light cameras and Speed Cameras could work wonders in Thailand, at least the BIB would be by-passed and the fine would just be automated.

Don't agree my friend. Speed cameras here only record vehicle plate, if there is one and it is visible and the vehicle is registered. Huge number of people drive without a licence. I don't see it helping and then there is the problem of the BiB, how are they to earn a living wage?

[dotpoom]

Jumping the red light here would not be that easy.....it's hard enough for them to move on the green light.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Pay the BIB a proper wage, like may other developing countries had to do to stamp out wide spread corruption. Cops earn peanuts here.

I do concede you have a good point with the massive amounts of unlicensed drivers, I know heaps who have been pulled over and got ff repeatedly for a 100b Bribe, again it comes down to the BIB enforcing this, a real culture change.

[inthefareast]

Would be nice if this did happen

[expatsupreme]

is it true that you are not allowed to drive on motorways with motorbike? I mean that is super stupid....

[garyinhuahin]

Dang! I hate it when they clean up corruption!

[Andre0720]

If you jump a red light for the first time you should be banned for life, as you may end someone elses ! Get tougher guys!!!!!

And if you speed for the first time, you should be banned for life..

And if you drive against the traffic, you should be banned for life..

And if you make an illegal U-turn, you should be banned for life.....

And if you drive with a phone in your hand, you should be banned for life..

Lots of road behaviours in Thailand may end someone else's life...

So people would enjoy nice walks in Thailand I would presume...

[GAZZPA]

Thailand desperately needs to do something about the traffic safety but it has to be enforceable. I don't see how they can revoke a license here for just 30 days, all that will happen is the driver will carry on driving and hope not to get caught.

If they want to be really tough they should confiscate ALL vehicles that are not insured or taxed at the roadside. The confiscation costs should be charged to the driver which he/she must pay when they collect their vehicle from the police pound and they can only do so when they show they appropriate tax and insurance.

Speeding, reckless driving and drunk driving are the next to crack. I think they should adopt the pointS system on the license for that. Lastly, proper driving lessons, proper tests and a whole load of education..

Despite this I like the fact they are saying the right things, lets hope they actually do something now, at least the ball will be rolling.

[Pralaad]

I hope they also get tough with parking and double parking violators.

[canuckamuck]

Pay the BIB a proper wage, like may other developing countries had to do to stamp out wide spread corruption. Cops earn peanuts here.

I do concede you have a good point with the massive amounts of unlicensed drivers, I know heaps who have been pulled over and got ff repeatedly for a 100b Bribe, again it comes down to the BIB enforcing this, a real culture change.

Cops in Thailand are like waitresses in the west. They don't get much of a salary because people give them tips.

[indothai]

sans Sathorn Road, Silom Road, Narathiwat Road, Rama 3 Road, Surawong Road, Rama 4 Road.

Oh yeah, you may still make payments on the spot for your convenience.

[MaxYakov]

OMG! I guess I'd better stop circumventing those lights at Phetchaburi and Rama IX/Rachada Phisek intersections.

Naaaaaaaaaah! (I don't have a license to suspend)

[recom273]

Pay the BIB a proper wage, like may other developing countries had to do to stamp out wide spread corruption. Cops earn peanuts here.

I do concede you have a good point with the massive amounts of unlicensed drivers, I know heaps who have been pulled over and got ff repeatedly for a 100b Bribe, again it comes down to the BIB enforcing this, a real culture change.

Where do posters get this idea of paying these guys more to prevent corruption.

How much do you suggest ? .. considering they do close to nothing, then they should be payed accordingly.

They dont even know how to effectively direct traffic, its always one direction at a time .. have you not noticed ?

Get them out doing some work for starters.