Vehicle seizure a smart way to sober up drivers: Thai editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Vehicle seizure a smart way to sober up drivers
The Nation

Checkpoints manned by police and soldiers are confiscating cars during the holidays

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's strict new law against driving while intoxicated during the New Year holidays is one of the few on the books that's actually designed to save lives directly, and as such it should be loudly advertised - and just as strictly enforced.

Promulgated by the National Council for Peace and Order, the law deems that the vehicles of motorists who fail a breathalyser test will be seized. Already police have hauled off 116 vehicles, a result that's both worrying and encouraging - encouraging because the government as a consequence is considering extending the measure year-round.

Drunk driving is certainly not the only cause of road causalities, but it is a major one. The World Health Organisation reckons that inebriated drivers are to blame for 26 per cent of road deaths in Thailand. The figure could actually be much higher, given that law enforcement is at times lax enough to let the drunks drive away. Poor law enforcement is a major reason for Thai roads ranking high among the most dangerous in the world. Keeping the drunks away from the steering wheel would obviously curb the accident toll.

The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) is now attempting to set an example in the strict enforcement of the vehicle-seizure law. Although having one's car confiscated is soft punishment compared to time in jail, it's enough to make motorists think twice about taking the risk, especially drivers who depend on their vehicles every day. Losing ownership of your car, however temporarily, has an immediate debilitating effect, and besides, the concept has proved "catchy" enough that word has spread widely on the social media.

This is not an easily administered programme, but the results could prove significant. Nearly 670 checkpoints have been set up - 361 in the North and 195 in the Northeast - jointly manned by police, soldiers attached to the POMC, and local administrative officials.

Having men in military uniform on the job makes a difference thanks to the perception that they're less corrupt, but more importantly, having three different agencies represented is more likely to keep everyone honest. The government's priority is to put an end to the influence wielded by people in positions of wealth and power, and in clever fashion the roadblocks are self-monitoring.

The checkpoints are also watching the speed of buses and public vans, though some doubt remains as to whether this can be as effectively controlled through the seizure of vehicles.

Thailand has in the past witnessed a series of campaigns aimed at curbing drunk driving, but none has had a notable effect. News of road accidents is despairingly mundane and even those resulting in multiple casualties fail to sustain the public will to bring about change.

If the government wants to reduce the death toll in holiday periods and throughout the year, it must first and foremost ensure that all public officials are engaged, committed and determined to show results. In this sense, the POMC is a refreshing addition to the arsenal in the war on highway carelessness, its sole aim being to execute the plan at hand.

If the goal is to save lives, the notion of seizing vehicles should apply to motorcyclists not wearing safety helmets - and their passengers. Motorcycles are always at the top of the list when it comes to accident statistics and the national disdain for helmets is among the biggest cause of road fatalities. While the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation has said that 14,000 people die on average each year due to inebriation, failure to wear a helmet accounts for 90 per cent of motorcycle fatalities. Refusal to wear a helmet on a bike demonstrates just as much disregard for the safety of others as driving while drunk.

If poor enforcement of the law continues to be a problem, these tragic numbers are unlikely to decline. The police have no excuse not to crack down, and they too should be punished if they fail to do so. There must be no compromise wherever public welfare is concerned.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Vehicle-seizure-a-smart-way-to-sober-up-drivers-30275894.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-30

[Strangebrew]

Having been A truck driver over 32 years I have seen more than my fair share of motor vehicle accidents. Drunk drivers cause a major part of deaths on the road but so do poorly trained and unlicensed drivers. A standardized test written and road test needs to be done with strict enforcement of the law for all. Not the way it is done now. Like involved in accident step 1 Do runner, Step 2 if drunk refuse to be arrested. step 3 bribe official. I bet any Thai who tried to get a California drivers license would fail the eye test much less a written test Road test they wouldn't make it out of parking lot of DMV. Drive drunk Don't care who you are you go to jail.

[waldroj]

One can only hope motorists and other road users enjoy a safe holiday season. Unfortunately, traffic-accident statistics suggest that most accidents in Thai roads are alcohol-related.

So, despite having 670 checkpoints, I find it hard to believe that only 116 drivers have failed a breathalyser (and had their cars seized). Especially when we are told that 14,000 people die...each year due to inebriation (that's 38 people each day of the year)!

Then there are the other accident statistics (not covered here) that account for many more deaths and injuries.

But, then again, this article alludes to another issue that may account for such seemingly low seizure figures, i.e. that law enforcement is at times lax enough to let the drunks drive away.

The final paragraph (of this article) perhaps identifies much of the problem for the attitudes of Thai drivers - they know they can flaunt the road laws, so they do, regardless of the consequences.

[aussiesteve63]

I would of thought running red lights and overtaking dangerously would high on the list of people dieing

[ezzra]

A smarter way will be to seize and sell in auction, or a very hefty penalty, after few cars sold, there

will be a lot less drunk drivers on the roads.... but this is Thailand, the country of half masseurs,

unfinished work and half baked ideas.... Oh, and big forgiving hearts for the ' poor people '......

[Seastallion]

"The figure could actually be much higher, given that law enforcement is at times lax enough to let the drunks drive away. "

As in, "Burp, Do you, burp, know who I am, burp."

[khwaibah]

Confiscate and put in an auto crusher. END OF.

[robblok]

I would of thought running red lights and overtaking dangerously would high on the list of people dieing

Running red lights is dangerous maybe even more dangerous as drunk drivers, but going one thing does not mean they don't have to go after the other.

That is like saying let the rapists go free while we pursue the murderers, in a normal society they go after both. The same should apply for the drunk drivers and red light runners.

I always wait a bit longer at green lights just to make sure I don't get taken out by a red light runner. This is an easy precaution when its a busy intersection, it gets more dangerous at night when they can run the red light at any given time not just when it just turned green.

[Bluespunk]

Take away the cars and sell them. Pass the money (less costs) to the drivers to help with their taxi/bus/transport costs as they serve out a 10 year driving ban after they have finished their 6 month gaol sentence.

Now that would be a smart way to sober up those irresponsible bastards who drink and drive.

[cooked]

I by no means justify drinking and driving.

I saw a dead motorcyclist last week, no helmet, pool of blood. A couple of years ago there was a big campaign here, "zero tolerance" for people without helmets and just about every day I would see kids that had been stopped. As far as I am concerned they were paying the ฿300.- fine for stupidity and they were definitely using their phones to warn each other. They won't even wear a helmet when it's raining. (Playing a sort of cops and robbers game). The cops stopped doing this and things are back to normal.

As this is the class of road user that suffers most casualties in accidents and that they tend to be younger people I can't understand why these guys are allowed to drive on after paying up.

Taking their bikes to the cop shop and keeping them there until their parents turn up to pay, checking their driving license and so on would do wonders for statistics.

By the way, last year there was an outcry when the fatalities over the holiday period were published, however if the numbers were to be believed, they were lower than on normal days.

[robblok]

I by no means justify drinking and driving.

I saw a dead motorcyclist last week, no helmet, pool of blood. A couple of years ago there was a big campaign here, "zero tolerance" for people without helmets and just about every day I would see kids that had been stopped. As far as I am concerned they were paying the ฿300.- fine for stupidity and they were definitely using their phones to warn each other. They won't even wear a helmet when it's raining. (Playing a sort of cops and robbers game). The cops stopped doing this and things are back to normal.

As this is the class of road user that suffers most casualties in accidents and that they tend to be younger people I can't understand why these guys are allowed to drive on after paying up.

Taking their bikes to the cop shop and keeping them there until their parents turn up to pay, checking their driving license and so on would do wonders for statistics.

By the way, last year there was an outcry when the fatalities over the holiday period were published, however if the numbers were to be believed, they were lower than on normal days.

I am all for helmet use but to compare it with drinking and driving is foolish. If you don't wear a helmet most of the times you take out yourself and do damage to yourself. People who drink and drive more often then not take out others.

If people who drink and drive only killed themselves I would not have problems with it but they are putting others at risk. You just can't compare the two.

The only thing is that what if you hit someone who should have worn a helmet and he dies.. with it he might not have so your in bigger trouble because he did not wear his helmet. That is the only reason I feel that people need to wear helmets.

Personally I have never been under the influence and driven a vehicle and I always wear my helmet (good one not one to avoid fines).

[bangkokheat]

670 check points, 116 car seizures, thats a very low success rate, do your sums

[robblok]

670 check points, 116 car seizures, thats a very low success rate, do your sums

Yes it sounds like a real low success rate but its better as none at all and it is a start. Even if those who were drinking and driving bribed their way out of it, the bribes would probably be much higher given the alternative. So hopefully they learned something from it.

[ttthailand]

Got on a motorbike taxi a while back and asked for a helmet. The driver said never mind there are no police going to stop us.... I told him it's not for the police that I want I want it for me. He looked like he saw a ghost. And gave me his helmet and drive off.

If people don't want to wear a helmet so be it as the life they are risking is their own. Kids are a little different story but TIT. Drunk drivers however kill other people and need to be stopped.

[realenglish1]

This would be a great idea for wayward Taxi Drives Break the law seize the Taxi

I LIKE IT

[trainman34014]

Just came back down from the Fang area; 120 miles and nine checkpoints, with eight not stopping vehicles, just waving through. Spoke to the 'Mayor' of a Village while i was up there and he said the new rules won't make a difference if you've got enough money in your pocket and as usual it will be the poor who get clobbered, so the locals use all the backroads where there are no checkpoints.

[anon467848]

The checkpoints are also watching the speed of buses and public vans, though some doubt remains as to whether this can be as effectively controlled through the seizure of vehicles.

Thailand has in the past witnessed a series of campaigns aimed at curbing drunk driving, but none has had a notable effect. News of road accidents is despairingly mundane and even those resulting in multiple casualties fail to sustain the public will to bring about change.

[trogers]

Got on a motorbike taxi a while back and asked for a helmet. The driver said never mind there are no police going to stop us.... I told him it's not for the police that I want I want it for me. He looked like he saw a ghost. And gave me his helmet and drive off.

If people don't want to wear a helmet so be it as the life they are risking is their own. Kids are a little different story but TIT. Drunk drivers however kill other people and need to be stopped.

Thai riders usually have skulls harder than helmets...

[cooked]

I by no means justify drinking and driving.

I saw a dead motorcyclist last week, no helmet, pool of blood. A couple of years ago there was a big campaign here, "zero tolerance" for people without helmets and just about every day I would see kids that had been stopped. As far as I am concerned they were paying the ฿300.- fine for stupidity and they were definitely using their phones to warn each other. They won't even wear a helmet when it's raining. (Playing a sort of cops and robbers game). The cops stopped doing this and things are back to normal.

As this is the class of road user that suffers most casualties in accidents and that they tend to be younger people I can't understand why these guys are allowed to drive on after paying up.

Taking their bikes to the cop shop and keeping them there until their parents turn up to pay, checking their driving license and so on would do wonders for statistics.

By the way, last year there was an outcry when the fatalities over the holiday period were published, however if the numbers were to be believed, they were lower than on normal days.

I am all for helmet use but to compare it with drinking and driving is foolish. If you don't wear a helmet most of the times you take out yourself and do damage to yourself. People who drink and drive more often then not take out others.

If people who drink and drive only killed themselves I would not have problems with it but they are putting others at risk. You just can't compare the two.

The only thing is that what if you hit someone who should have worn a helmet and he dies.. with it he might not have so your in bigger trouble because he did not wear his helmet. That is the only reason I feel that people need to wear helmets.

Personally I have never been under the influence and driven a vehicle and I always wear my helmet (good one not one to avoid fines).

Thanks for calling me foolish. I wasn't comparing the two subjects at all, I was questioning priorities. This campaign is going to last for a few days and then lapse back into forgetfulness. 28 000 (discussable) fatalities a year, most of them motorcyclists? You could cut that by half in a year. The road safety council or whatever it is called has as much idea about road safety as your Somchai cycling home without lights. I take the sight of kids without helmets as an insult to human common sense and hope that I never kill one and have to live with that. (and pay costs as it will be mt fault).

[NoshowJones]

Confiscate and put in an auto crusher. END OF.

Nooooooo! They can be confiscated then sold at auction, with the money being used to employ, train, and giving good wages to traffic police, so they

will do their jobs properly.

[PETERTHEEATER]

.........The checkpoints are also watching the speed of buses and public vans,

Yes, a great spectator sport,but are they stopping and arresting speeders?

[callaway]

I only thank god all you "change thailand" people have no say in the matter. If you want so strict laws then farangland is the place to be. I love this country due to its laid back attitude. Hope it never changes too much or must re-evaluate why I am here

[captspectre]

I would of thought running red lights and overtaking dangerously would high on the list of people dieing

Running red lights is dangerous maybe even more dangerous as drunk drivers, but going one thing does not mean they don't have to go after the other.

That is like saying let the rapists go free while we pursue the murderers, in a normal society they go after both. The same should apply for the drunk drivers and red light runners.

I always wait a bit longer at green lights just to make sure I don't get taken out by a red light runner. This is an easy precaution when its a busy intersection, it gets more dangerous at night when they can run the red light at any given time not just when it just turned green.

confiscating cars is a good start, the other traffic violations will maybe follow! these people have only been driving for forty years! most of them do not know how to drive and just get out on the road and Point the car in one direction. there is not even a real driving test! I.E. actually driving on the road with an evaluater to se if you even know what a red light is! maybe in another fifty years, but in the meantime! all you falangs, remember where you are and be aware!

[robblok]

I only thank god all you "change thailand" people have no say in the matter. If you want so strict laws then farangland is the place to be. I love this country due to its laid back attitude. Hope it never changes too much or must re-evaluate why I am here

Since when did Thais ever listen to foreigners, this is a Thai initiative, its the Thais who want change. So yes if this goes on your reason for staying here (seems to be drinking and driving) will be gone.

But I doubt you have to worry as these things will go slow, but it seems they are getting more serious with it.

[trogers]

I only thank god all you "change thailand" people have no say in the matter. If you want so strict laws then farangland is the place to be. I love this country due to its laid back attitude. Hope it never changes too much or must re-evaluate why I am here

Let's see how long you would remain here, above ground... ?

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.