Thai Police to crack down on drivers using smartphone functions today

[webfact]

Police to crack down on drivers using smartphone functions today

BANGKOK: -- Police will Tuesday start arresting drivers using smartphone functions while driving, said deputy national police chief Pol Gen Wut Liptapanlop.

He said motorists found to play Line games, chatting and using the phone to read web pages will be arrested because their acts could cause accidents and slow down traffic flow.

Using a mobile phone without headset or speakerphone system is already illegal. Now, police decide to step up crackdown on the use of smartphone functions after it was reported that drivers attached their smartphones to their steeling wheel to text while driving.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Police-to-crack-down-on-drivers-using-smartphone-f-30240238.html

[thenation]2014-08-05[/thenation]

[webfact]

Police tell drivers don’t text and drive



BANGKOK: -- Beginning August 5, the police will begin to arrest motorists texting while driving in an effort to prevent traffic accidents.

According to the police, online chat or texting while driving regroups the actions of reading, composing, or sending email and text messages from a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle. It causes diversion of attention and lowers a driver’s ability to focus on the road.

Texting while driving increases the risks of crashes or near-crashes and reduces one’s awareness and performance

Pol Gen Wuthi Liptapanlop, advisor the Royal Thai Police commissioner, said online chat while driving increased the risk of accidents and is now a main cause of road accidents or up to 50%.

He said beginning the police will launch a campaign to deal drastically with motorists making online charts while driving.

Violator will face a fine from 400 to 1,000 baht, he said.

He also disclosed that since the police began a nationwide campaign to arrest traffic violators on five major offences, 750,000 motorists were arrested and fined.

He said the campaign proved a success with now traffic accidents have reduced.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/police-tell-drivers-dont-text-drive/

[thaipbs]2014-08-05[/thaipbs]

[NongKhaiKid]

Yet another crackdown !

 

Will it be anymore effective than other crackdowns including drivers talking on their phones ?

[thesetat2013]

Im sure that this crackdown will only make another 750,000 more baht is all. Cuz it wont stop people when an arrest (hehe) means a little more money to pay

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wgdanson]

This problem needs some BIG fines. What's 400-1000 Bht....nothing. Confiscate the phone first, then chuck the perp in jail for a few weeks. That'll sort it out.

[khwaibah]

Thailand...The Hub of Crackdowns.

[Eliot Rosewater]

Never ceases to amaze me how many people text and drive while on a motorbike; unbelievable

[chongtak]

Talking on the phone illegal while driving? How come nobody respects the law? Is it because the police is just a bunch of lazy thugs?

[Mango Bob]

I wonder how many Thaivisa users are reading the news right now while driving?

[nong38]

Anybody using a phone whilst driving should be fined on the spot, as much as you like and I dont care if the policeman keeps the fine, they are a danger to other road users as well as thereselves. Now what about the red light runners?

[ChrisY1]

Good to see that there's a crackdown on phone use today......will it extend to tomorrow and there after??

[crazykopite]

Sio itake it you can use a mobi as long as it's not a smart phone Amazing Thailand !!!

[belg]

yes, because being on a scooter, holding a baby with one arm, 3 people on the bike, nobody wearing helmets, that is all less dangerous

[webfact]

Traffic Police: The 5 common violations and No texting while driving measures goes well on first day

BANGKOK, 5 August 2014 (NNT)- Traffic police today reported smoother traffic flow at most intersections in the capital as thousands of police were deployed to implement strict measures concerning five common violations. Police are particularly enforcing the law against texting while driving.

Ninety Bangkok intersections which are normally congested with vehicles defying traffic laws, are being closely monitored. Police have launched the campaign against major violations of traffic laws focusing on taking legal action against drivers who cut across lanes especially at merging points. These drivers will receive the immediate attention of the law enforcers.

Traffic police commander Pol Maj-Gen Jirasan Kaeosang-ek said traffic flow this morning was smooth. From this D Day, the ‘no texting while driving’ order will be the focus of police action during the campaign. Drivers at fault are those who take a phone call, message or even browse the internet. He said the police would assess the result of this morning’s campaign this afternoon for improved supervision over coming days. Drivers who use a mobile phone to call, or text will receive a penalty ranging from 400 baht to 1,000 baht.

[nnt]2014-08-05[/nnt]

[bkkjames]

Curious to know why there is a range in fines? 

 

I charge your 400 for yacking on the phone but if I see you texting it will be 600, playing cookie run, that's 800 and for 1000 you need to be watching a movie.

[Dutchbike]

i Fine

[craigt3365]

This could just make more people tint their windows even darker.  With the darker tints, it's impossible to see inside.  Of course these dark tints are technically illegal?

 

I drove my friends a few weeks ago.  In the parking garage, could barely see to back the car into a spot.  Had to roll the windows down! 5555

[Teddy3943]

Perfect! But start with the bus and van-drivers who are responsible for more people than only themselves.

[Songhua]

Curious to know why there is a range in fines? 
 
I charge your 400 for yacking on the phone but if I see you texting it will be 600, playing cookie run, that's 800 and for 1000 you need to be watching a movie.

Selfie ... 5,000

[jacko45k]

Talking on the phone illegal while driving? How come nobody respects the law? Is it because the police is just a bunch of lazy thugs?

 

To be honest I don't think it is a lot better in Europe on this issue....... well from what I see in the UK, which is actually quite  a law abiding society. I think they investigate 'after the event' more.

As to Thailand, can't see into 90% of the vehicles so good luck policing this.

[lostmebike]

As post #7 says ... what about motorcyclists using the phone? I hope this 'CRACKDOWN', there's that word again, will also include motorcyclists. I know car drivers are guilty of using the phone but motorcyclists ( I'm sure we all see them everyday riding around town, stuck to their mobile) are also a huge danger. And what about the umbrella usage on the bike? One hand to ride and the other to hold the umbrella. If they're gonna claim it's dangerous to use the phone whilst driving, which it obviously is, let's have some consistency right across the board with this.

[iReason]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

This problem needs some BIG fines. What's 400-1000 Bht....nothing. Confiscate the phone first, then chuck the perp in jail for a few weeks. That'll sort it out.

General?

Is that you?

[Rumblecat]

Can we extend this to people using the stairs on the BTS? The other day got stuck in a queue going down because the woman at the front was blissfully unaware of the build up behind her as she played Farmville on her iPad. While very slowly going down the stairs. On the bright side she had built up an impressive virtual farm. On the down side part of me hoped she'd slip and injure herself, and nobody wants to be having those thoughts. 

[toooa]

Ok.... let's have a guessing competition.... what will the next crackdown be on?

I'm in favor of a crackdown on people wearing sparkly "doll eyes" contact lenses, in an unnatural colour. The day-walkers. 5000 baht on the spot fine. Just a quick walk around any university campus or the Siam area and the authorities will clean up. I mean surely these people are a threat to themselves and society in general. When I was a wee chappy we didn't stand for this kind of nonsense.

[peterbkk9]

I don't see how this new law could be enforced. You can't see through these black tinted windows

[IAMSOBAD]

Heard it ALL before. How about RED light runners who are too childish to stop and wait for green?

[bkkjames]

I think doing your makeup is equally dangerous as chatting on line. 

[steveyinasia]

Can we extend this to people using the stairs on the BTS? The other day got stuck in a queue going down because the woman at the front was blissfully unaware of the build up behind her as she played Farmville on her iPad. While very slowly going down the stairs. On the bright side she had built up an impressive virtual farm. On the down side part of me hoped she'd slip and injure herself, and nobody wants to be having those thoughts. 

Our society is fixated on their phones, take a look on the BTS, nose to the screen and not looking where they are going.  I refuse to move out of the way of these idiots any more, I just stop in front of them and make them look up, for a change. 

[lostmebike]

@ Dutchbike, post #16 ... yeah great new app that!

[Torrens54]

Congratulations!

 

A well overdue move by Thai Authorities and another reason we should all be delighted with the improvements brought about by the Military.

 

Hit them and hit them hard.......Hike the Fines to 5-Thousand for a second Offence, 10-Thousand for the Third, PLUS Confiscation of "Smart" or "Less than Smart Phone" which could later be sold at a Police Auction and the funds donated to a Charity that looks after children who have been injured in Road Crashes.