More than five dozen helmet-less drivers arrested in Phuket

[Guitar God]

I can't understand why people would risk an almost certain 200฿ fine for not wearing a helmet in a country where helmets cost 399฿.

In Ubon there's a scooter checkpoint somewhere in the city ( usually on the main road) at least once a week where they catch almost every helmet less scooter driver who drives by and fines them.

When it's 38 degrees I can see a excuse that it's hot but when it's 16 and the driver is wearing a winter coat over a sweater and driving with their helmet hanging from their handlebars, the only explanation I can come up with is that they're almost already as braindead as they'll be after their first accident.

[TheCruncher]

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

The one problem I see, however, is that mixed messages are being sent to riders. That is, helmets are required when riding a motorbike, but you will only have a problem if you encounter a roadblock. Just yesterday, I saw several helmet-less riders pass policemen riding a motorbike on patrol. The policemen didn't even bat an eye. It's a well-known fact (at least in Patong, and I suspect most of Phuket) that the police will not enforce moving violations (running red lights, not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, driving on the wrong side of the road, etc). Traffic regulations are only enforced via roadblocks, so most locals just continue to ignore the regulations unless they think they will encounter a roadblock (which always are setup in locations that are well-known).

Instructing the police to issue citations whenever they see a violation would go a long way toward encouraging compliance with regulations. But that would require them to get off their motorbike and do some work.

A step in the right direction>?

You noticed that those 64 were done over the timespan of a week, or less than 10 a day.

I would think that at any given time in the past 10 riders a day were caught without helmets, so what has changed at all?

[sead]

Who cares about a fine and a 99bht helmet. I hate the time it takes to pay my fine at policestation. The queue is 1-2 hours long. Then you have to drive all the way back to show fine and get license/passport. I always wear helmet but sometimes not license.

[sead]

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

The one problem I see, however, is that mixed messages are being sent to riders. That is, helmets are required when riding a motorbike, but you will only have a problem if you encounter a roadblock. Just yesterday, I saw several helmet-less riders pass policemen riding a motorbike on patrol. The policemen didn't even bat an eye. It's a well-known fact (at least in Patong, and I suspect most of Phuket) that the police will not enforce moving violations (running red lights, not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, driving on the wrong side of the road, etc). Traffic regulations are only enforced via roadblocks, so most locals just continue to ignore the regulations unless they think they will encounter a roadblock (which always are setup in locations that are well-known).

Instructing the police to issue citations whenever they see a violation would go a long way toward encouraging compliance with regulations. But that would require them to get off their motorbike and do some work.

A step in the right direction>?

You noticed that those 64 were done over the timespan of a week, or less than 10 a day.

I would think that at any given time in the past 10 riders a day were caught without helmets, so what has changed at all?

I dont call the BIG blinking policesigns roadblock, more like an advertising that here we are. Thats ridicolous. You see them like 2km away , just follow all the Thais taking the small streets.

[SOTIRIOS]

...no mention of insurance....

..a foreigner will have to pay tens of thousands in hospital bills....

....I guess it's not the same for a local.....

...maybe that is where the problem begins.......

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

Instructing the police to issue citations whenever they see a violation would go a long way toward encouraging compliance with regulations. But that would require them to get off their motorbike and do some work.

Exactly right ... police just want to make their fine quota as fast as possible at a road stop, then bugger off for the next week. They are not interested in real police traffic work ... just not interested and no financial incentive ..

[steelepulse]

Arrested them?

Fingerprinted? Mugshots? Jail time? Court case?

I doubt it.

I don't think arrest is the right word.

Anyway, stay safe out there folks.

I had to drive to Kathu from Rawai last evening, and saw 3 accidents on my way.

One looked very serious. (Lots of blood, lots of spectators)

I had two separate people tell me about the one serious accident. Both said it looked like there was no way the foreign lady survived and that's as graphic as I'll get, but their separate stories appear to be the same on how the accident looked to them as they passed by.

Wear you helmets motorbike riders, and preferably something better than the 99 baht specials.

[Tchooptip]

In Samui (at least) most tourists do not wear helmet, even though in their own countries they would be stopped by the police in matter of minutes.

A couple of Westerners with a young child on the front, also without helmet can be seen daily too!

As for the younger one, they many times drive much faster than the flow of traffic, overtaking in a random manner from left and right.

...When it is not three of them on three motorbikes talking to each other at slow speed in the middle of the road...

So all those posts about the way only Thai people are driving...really

Samui is the most lawless area in the country. Always has been. Probably always will be. The police there are purely decorative, and ceremonial. Of course the police nationwide are some of the least talented, least effective, least serious and least trained, in the world. In general, the RTP is the laughing stock of the planet. The officials on Samui, are the most indifferent in the country, and they have the least pride. Same can be said for alot of the local merchants. Lack of pride is almost a trait that the local merchants and officials on Samui are known for. The reality is, that most of the locals left long ago, with their small fortunes, from exploding land values. Most of the merchants on Samui are transplants, who just do not care about the island. And the mayor is beyond incompetent. The rest the nation barely cares one iota about the Southern Islands, and that goes doubly for the national government, who have ignored Samui for decades.

How on earth were you capable to read in my mind describing so precisely why I love Samui so much

By the way it was totally off topic and in anyway not answering my post at all , but thats not important, so thank you for your always positive mind.

[LivinginKata]

...no mention of insurance....

..a foreigner will have to pay tens of thousands in hospital bills....

....I guess it's not the same for a local.....

...maybe that is where the problem begins.......

What legal insurance is required ? There is no insurance sticker these past few years. Only the road tax in date supports the minimal insurance requirement. Tax sticker is usually checked by police. Along with valid DL. It's not only about helmets.

[stevenl]

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

The one problem I see, however, is that mixed messages are being sent to riders. That is, helmets are required when riding a motorbike, but you will only have a problem if you encounter a roadblock. Just yesterday, I saw several helmet-less riders pass policemen riding a motorbike on patrol. The policemen didn't even bat an eye. It's a well-known fact (at least in Patong, and I suspect most of Phuket) that the police will not enforce moving violations (running red lights, not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, driving on the wrong side of the road, etc). Traffic regulations are only enforced via roadblocks, so most locals just continue to ignore the regulations unless they think they will encounter a roadblock (which always are setup in locations that are well-known).

Instructing the police to issue citations whenever they see a violation would go a long way toward encouraging compliance with regulations. But that would require them to get off their motorbike and do some work.

A step in the right direction>?

You noticed that those 64 were done over the timespan of a week, or less than 10 a day.

I would think that at any given time in the past 10 riders a day were caught without helmets, so what has changed at all?

I dont call the BIG blinking policesigns roadblock, more like an advertising that here we are. Thats ridicolous. You see them like 2km away , just follow all the Thais taking the small streets.

There are not that many road up or down the hill there.

I think these drivers were very much inconvenienced, I know I would be if I had to stop and watch a video.

[lostinisaan]

78 downloads of the girl and the cop seem to eradicate that some people like her set of...aehh her motorbike.

[wabothai]

How about doing it the nice way.

At a checkpoint the police could be selling helmets for less the price of a ticket. Everybody wins.

[NCC1701A]

photo caption:

"good afternoon officer, see anything you like?"

[DrDave]

A step in the right direction>?

You noticed that those 64 were done over the timespan of a week, or less than 10 a day.

I would think that at any given time in the past 10 riders a day were caught without helmets, so what has changed at all?

What has changed is this:

"Helmet-less drivers caught at checkpoints across the island had their bikes seized and were escorted to the police station to view road accident videos, purchase a 99-baht helmet, and pay a fine"

A major inconvenience to those cited, as opposed to a quick 200 baht fine and off they go.

[NCC1701A]

Ninety-nine baht helmets could be beyond the means of a family of four on a single motorcycle caught in the dragnet...

Being without a helmet kills, but four on a single bike does not.

yes, you are right, it is sad to be poor. but the thing is, you buy real helmets before you buy the scooter. or you get hand me downs from the sea for helmets floating about Thailand. They just don't want to wear them.

and Honda gives you a free "real" scooter helmet with new scooters, and Kawasaki gives away a real motorcycle helmet with a new bike.

a Samsung entry level smart phone costs about 4000 baht, and they all have them.

and a "decent" scooter helmet is about 1200 baht. or about four months of a cellphone bill.

I actually applaud the Thai people for their freedom loving life style. Even if it is totally irresponsible. And a culture like that is hard to change.

and besides, if all the Thais wear helmets, how will they be able to make fun of the stupid Farangs for wearing theirs?

[TheCruncher]

<snip>

Instructing the police to issue citations whenever they see a violation would go a long way toward encouraging compliance with regulations. But that would require them to get off their motorbike and do some work.

Exactly right ... police just want to make their fine quota as fast as possible at a road stop, then bugger off for the next week. They are not interested in real police traffic work ... just not interested and no financial incentive ..

On a daily base I see police officers in uniform with 3 kids on the bike and none, including the police officer wearing a helmet.

How can you uphold a law if the law enforcer doesn't care about the law in the firs place.

[freedom4life]

Time to make money...

[Ulic]

Just a typical Thai lady with bikini top under a wrap. Clearly photo taken to show a bit of clevage.

Nothing wrong with a bit of gratuitous cleavage.

[jaiyen]

yes and named brand helmets, shoei,shark etc, etc, are not type approved,but a paper mache' helmet is.so was wondering if one had and accident wearing a non approved helmet could this invalidate any claim, as insurance companies, like to weasel out of any claim if they can

Is That really True ?? So my $800 Arai race approved helmet is not approved in Thailand ??

[Rorri]

I applaud this! This is a good damn start, and gone about it right propper too

Agree, there is no pleasing some.

stevenl and dash... you know, as well as anyone else, who have been here at least a month, that there are more serious "heinous" crimes, and scams, here that do not get the same attention by the police, why, well pulling helmet-less riders over is far easier, and more profitable and not having to upset more "influential" people and of course their own comrades. We also know that these "crack downs" never last, so many "starts" but never ongoing. Besides, the helmets, that most Thais, and probably expats/tourists, wear would not pass any safety standard and would be almost useless, in fact, poorly designed, and fitted, helmets have caused injuries and deaths.

"Agree, there is no pleasing some," but then there are those who just don't think before commenting.

Dash, if you applaud this, then you will be applauding almost every day, with every new crack down that is "started."

[RigPig]

Why not just stop the hypocrisy and get rid of the helmet law altogether? At what point are people responsible for there own actions?

Oh wasn't thinking that would cut the pay packets of "those who serve"....

And I ALWAYS wear a helmet, purchased from the States, DOT approved, the cheapest one I have was $100 US!

99 Baht helmet . Another "Safety first as long as it doesn't cost money" exercise!!!

[northernphil]

The 99B hat is just a legality , but I think that post 42 is the best idea of all. Police check point ,no hat and a fine of 200B where you are given a crash hat. Most Thai would likely then go off down the road and then put the hat in the front basket but a few might just wear it. All ferlung should be fine 1000B most likely where they came from it would be compulsory to wear one and riding over here is so much more dangerous.

[ThaiKneeTim]

Arrested them?

Fingerprinted? Mugshots? Jail time? Court case?

I doubt it.

I don't think arrest is the right word.

Arrest is exactly the right word, not all arrests result in fingerprinting and mugshots, depending whether a crime has been committed or merely an infringement. Court cases and jail time come after charging, unless on the spot fines are administered, as in this case.

ar·rest

əˈrest/

verb

1.

seize (someone) by legal authority and take into custody.

The motorcyclists were arrested and detained at the police station to watch educational videos, fines and made to buy a helmet before being released.

Yep, sounds like an arrest to me!

[stevenl]

Time to make money...

Did you read the OP?

[tabarnak]

This is a joke. 99B plus a small fine. They will leave the helmut home and continue driving at crasy speed. Instead of checking the helmet the police should check the speed which may cause casualties to others in case of accidents. Crossing Patak road or even just walking on it puts your life at risk. Educate the Phuket locals instead of just giving them a small fine

[stevenl]

This is a joke. 99B plus a small fine. They will leave the helmut home and continue driving at crasy speed. Instead of checking the helmet the police should check the speed which may cause casualties to others in case of accidents. Crossing Patak road or even just walking on it puts your life at risk. Educate the Phuket locals instead of just giving them a small fine

Why do you think they had to watch a video?

[MockingJay]

Just a typical Thai lady with bikini top under a wrap. Clearly photo taken to show a bit of clevage.

Jealous?

[MockingJay]

Just in case - for when the first Thai bashers start ranting...

[Lupatria]

A 99-baht helmet gives a bike rider as much protection as a salad leaf. The entire campaign just leaves the impression that Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day get's more expensive for the cops every year.

[namatjira]

The way to go is buy a 2 liter ice cream container, eat the ice cream and then just wear the container on the head...

Looks pretty smooth and surely value for money