100 vehicles impounded so far from drunk drivers

[webfact]

100 vehicles impounded so far from drunk drivers



BANGKOK: -- Military and police officials manning checkpoints along highways across the country to ensure traffic safety during the New Year Festival have so far impounded about 100 vehicles from drunk drivers, National Council for Peace and Order spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree said on Monday.

The action taken was in line with army chief Theerachai Nakwanich’s order for authorities to arrest people found to be driving while and seize their vehicles.

The oweners of the impounded vehicles can reclaim them from Jan 6.

Emphasis is placed on secondary roads between villages and motorcyclists.

From Dec 25 to Sunday night, the authorities found about 100 people — 36 in areas under the responsibility of the 2nd Army and 64 in areas under the 3rd Army — driving with a higher level of alcohol in blood than the legal limit and seized 50 cars and 50 motorcycles. Of the 100, 38 also had their driver’s licence suspended.

Public relations work had been carried out by local administration leaders for all people to know of the measure in advance, Col Winthai said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/100-vehicles-impounded-so-far-from-drunk-drivers


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-28

[thesetat2013]

In all of Thailand that is a pretty low number to lay claim to. Not much to brag about but at least some force is out there trying to make a difference. Let's hope the number of holiday accidents drops significantly from these people being taken off the streets

[MaxLee]

Attention,... "Don't get caught campaign" in disguise

[Pib]

These 100 drunks probably didn't have any money left after a night of drinking. No money to immediately resolve the misunderstanding...vehicle impounded.

[apetley]

They could have got close to that figure targeting our village over the weekend.

[Oziex1]

Enforcing drink driving laws OK, except for the do you know who I am brigade.

[FloridaExport]

Of the 100, 38 also had their driver’s licence suspended.

Is it safe to assume that the other 62 didn't have one to begin with?

[Cuchulainn]

100 throughout the entire country? Pathetic, absolutely pathetic.

[kartman]

Don't forget if a family in the vehicle they can appeal to get it back in a case by case basis according to another paper.

[Gsxrnz]

I wonder how many of the cars were BMW's or Mercs. Oh that's right.....none.

[WaiLai]

555555555555555555555555555 - nice start - can you finish the "race" - doughnuts? - sure - take a break, you must be weary from such strenuous work - not to mention staying focussed on the task!

[ChaangNoi]

I hope they get 1000 more!

[ChrisY1]

There simply must be thousands that drive over .05% everyday and night....to catch only 100 is a joke!

[jacky54]

Only another 20,000 to go then

[BSJ]

100! Man they must have been under a lot of pressure to get 100!

[webfact]

Seizure of drunks’ cars may become official policy
The Nation



Decision to depend on success of latest new year holiday scheme

BANGKOK: -- THE SPECIAL New Year measure to seize vehicles from drunk motorists might be made permanent if it proves successful.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that he would consider whether it should be continued after seeing the results.

Since Friday, the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) has already confiscated 116 vehicles - 24 cars and 92 motorcycles - nationwide under the new policy.

Of the drivers, 82 also had to give up their driver's licences.

Colonel Sirichan Ngathong, deputy spokeswoman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said 667 checkpoints had been set up - 361 in the North and 195 in the Northeast - by the POMC, officials and police.

The officers manning checkpoints on secondary roads notorious for accidents were instructed to use "reasonable discretion in assessing motorists and seizing their vehicles", while those at arterial checkpoints would focus on speeding public transport for travellers' safety, she said.

Colonel Winthai Suvari, another deputy NCPO spokesman, said the owners could start recovering their vehicles on January 6.

The checkpoints will be maintained until the end of the New Year holidays.

The special measure was announced to the public by all Army area commands and provincial administrations.

Villages and communities are also cooperating and helping to implement this measure, along with the Land Transport Law, Winthai said.

The Third Army Area, covering 17 northern provinces, has commandeered the most vehicles at 65, followed by the Second Army Area with 35 motorcycles from 20 northeastern provinces.

Colonel Chatchai Meechanchung, deputy director of the Second Army Area's Operation Division, told The Nation via phone that more than 100 checkpoints were operating to prevent accidents.

The officers will stop any drivers who appeared to be under the influence and test their sobriety with breathalysers or by smelling their breath. Until after January 4 when people can reclaim them, police will take care of the seized vehicles, he said.

Maj-General Tana Jaruwat, spokesman for the Third Army Area, told The Nation that his office's cooperation with officials at checkpoints had resulted in the detention of 40 motorcycles and 38 cars.

The assessments of drunk drivers were performed by breathalysers and officials at their discretion.

"This measure was adopted for its psychological impact to tackle rising accident cases, as last year's measures did not work very well," he said.

The "seven dangerous days" for the New Year holidays start today, with the launch of the Road Safety Centre this morning.

The centre will issue its final report and close on January 5, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's website.

Nakhon Ratchasima, a strategic crossroads as the Gateway to the Northeast, saw the annual send-off ceremony of 1,200 rescue workers, 250 highway patrol cars and 160 emergency trucks to 96 service points along main and back |roads.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Seizure-of-drunks-cars-may-become-official-policy-30275830.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-29

[Aj Mick]

There simply must be thousands that drive over .05% everyday and night....to catch only 100 is a joke!

The only catch the few who obligingly stop a a police checkpoint, manned by a dozen or more officers and equipped with breath testing equipment.

[puukao]

These FARANGS are trying to kill us all!!!! MY kids were in the car as you drove recklessly!!!!

I want them sent to the jungle camps for 200 years!!!!!!

we must protect our roads!!!!!

whose with me????

crickets....

[rhythmworx]

50 cars and 50 motor cycles?

Now, was that a target set?

"yeah just do 50 cars and 50 bikes, don't bother the rest just let them through"

Maybe it was a random check, who knows. If any of you watched Jonny Ball as a kid or play poker you'll know the odds.

Ha sip ha sip as they say, hahahaha sip, we got sangsom and goong tonight lads with all the <deleted> trimmings.

[JoePai]

Every little helps

[NickJ]

No cars allowed within 300m of schools......

[dotpoom]

Attention,... "Don't get caught campaign" in disguise

My home country in Western Europe has a similar campaign every Christmas and New Year warning of more check points....that is the purpose of announcing it on TV, Radio and Newspapers....in the hope of cutting down the amount of deaths caused by alcohol intake over that period. At a guess, I'd say most responsible authorities have similar campaigns in whatever country.

[Don Mega]

Since Friday, the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) has already confiscated 116 vehicles - 24 cars and 92 motorcycles - nationwide under the new policy.

So now they are confiscating rather than impounding.

Thats pretty harsh step up, surely confiscation should be a last resort for repeat offenders.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Don Mega

[BestBitterPhuket]

This should be done every day to save the thousands of thai women and children killed by drunk drivers every year.

[luk AJ]

I wonder how many of the cars were BMW's or Mercs. Oh that's right.....none.

BMW drivers are very responsible drivers, also, before you buy a BMW you have to swear on the bible ( option Koran) you will never drink or sex during driving!

[wirat69]

No cars allowed within 300m of schools......

No cars motorised vehicles allowed within 300m of schools......

The Teachers need the exercise also. Consequently, the school yard will be reclaimed for student activities

[gandalf12]

Damn drunken foreigners again messing things up again.

[Searat7]

I note this is an army initiative.....why are they always doing the things that should be done by police ? If the police did the checkpoints on their own then tea money would be passed and the vehicle would not be taken away. It's time for the police in this country to start doing their job !

[steveyinasia]

This should be done every day to save the thousands of thai women and children killed by drunk drivers every year.

Absolutely, and apply a meaningful fine that hurts them for many months to come. This carnage needs to be stopped and unfortunately we have to rely on the RTP to do it.

[springheeled jack]

i am definitely in favour but also ensure with the aid of experienced safe drivers that the miscreants are made to understand the folly of drink driving and should undergo tests before they get their vehicles returned to them.