Higher penalties for traffic violations

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Gaybutton
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Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Gaybutton »

Although the article doesn't specifically mention it, I hope these higher penalties include motorbike drivers going the wrong way. There is far too much of that. I can rarely go anywhere without seeing that.

I think we all like what amounts to a real crackdown on the motorbike maniacs - if they'll really enforce it and keep enforcing it until it has stopped. Some of these people understand only one thing - harsh punishment. Maybe some hefty fines and a few months in a Thai jail might finally put a stop to it. We'll see.
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Thai penalties for traffic offenses to increase from September 5th

By Tanakorn Panyadee

3 September, 2022

Thailand has finally amended the archaic, notorious Land Traffic Act with new penalties for speeding or failing to stop at pedestrian crossings hiking from 1,000 baht to 4,000, effective next Monday, September 5th.

The announcement of the amended Land Traffic Act was made by Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapat, deputy national police chief and director of the traffic management center, yesterday, September 2nd, which highlighted the changes as follows:

* Drivers guilty of drunk driving will face no more than a one-year jail term and/or a fine of 5,000-20,000 baht. If drivers repeat the same offense within two years, the penalties will increase to a fine of 50,000-100,000 baht and a two-year jail term. Also, repeat offenders will always receive both a fine and a jail sentence from the court.
* Fines for traffic law offenders such as speed driving, jumping red lights, or not stopping at pedestrian crossings will be increased from no more than 1,000 baht to no more than 4,000 baht.
* Fines for driving backwards, parking in restricted areas, and not wearing a helmet will be increased from 500 baht to 2,000 baht.
* Drivers convicted of driving with no regard for others’ safety and lives will face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of 5,000-20,000 baht. The present penalties are three months in prison and/or a fine of 2,000-10,000 baht.

Additionally, the penalties for street racers, organizers of street races, and operators of bike modification shops have also been adjusted as follows:

* Motorcyclists who gather with more than five people are considered attempting to illegally race motorbikes if they fall under one of the three conditions:
1. have a pre-scheduled appointment to race
2. possess an illegally modified motorbike
3. show an intention to race. The penalties for street racers are a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of 5,000-10,000 baht.
* Organizers of street races will face a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of 10,000-20,000 baht.
* Operators of bike modification shops will face a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine of 5,000-10,000 baht.

The amended Land Traffic Act will go into effect on Monday, September 5th.

https://thepattayanews.com/2022/09/03/t ... ember-5th/
Jun

Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Jun »

Presumably the tea money rates will go up in proportion to the official fines ?
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Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Gaybutton »

Looks like I got my wish for motorbikes driving in the wrong direction. Good!

"The new law also raised the maximum fine from 500 to 2,000 baht for driving in wrong direction and failure to wear a helmet or a seat belt."

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... ons-408831
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Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Undaunted »

New fines not to go into effect for 3 more months “giving time to educate the public about new fines”.
"In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king"
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Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

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Undaunted wrote: Tue Sep 06, 2022 12:22 pm New fines not to go into effect for 3 more months “giving time to educate the public about new fines”.
Does anyone think they will be any more "educated" in 3 months than they are right now?

I only hope the delay won't apply to the motorbike maniacs. They are the very definition of "clear and present danger".
Jun

Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Jun »

Undaunted wrote: Tue Sep 06, 2022 12:22 pmNew fines not to go into effect for 3 more months “giving time to educate the public about new fines”.
Why do they need 3 months ?
The fines are supposed to be part of the education process. You announce the fines, it will be all over the news and then having got all that free media coverage, implement the fines the next day. Hopefully the newspapers would run some stories about people who get stung with the higher fines, which will help the "education" process for the rest of the population.
Anyone who doesn't appreciate the benefit of wearing a helmet or a seat belt must be pretty dim. I suppose some of these people have been wearing masks to prevent against covid which is highly unlikely to kill them, if under a certain age.

Of course, to make this work, they would also need to stamp down on police corruption, so the large fine isn't converted into a modest bribe.
Something like 20 year jail terms or execution for corrupt police might work, but I suppose they then just bribe the court officials.
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Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Gaybutton »

I guess they're just not happy unless plenty of confusion reigns along with just about every new law and set of regulations. At least for me, the same holds true for the new traffic laws, enforcement and exactly what you are supposed to do if you get caught up in any of these violations. The articles are trying to explain it, but to me no avail. Maybe I'm just dense, but I, for one, am much for confused than feeling as if I've 'got it'.

I also see no mention of the point system that is supposed to be in place. Whatever happened to that?
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Cabinet okays draft on new trial procedures involving traffic cases

by The Nation

September 7, 2022

A cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved in principle a draft of the Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act, with the aim to set up a specific justice division to process traffic cases instead of going through criminal trials, deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Tuesday.

The act also aims to allow the court to try traffic law violators without the police having to issue a ticket first in such violations as running a red light or speeding over the limit, she added.

Ratchada said the draft is in response to increasing traffic law violations, mostly due to motorists lacking understanding and discipline on the roads.

“Some motorists are not afraid of the legal punishment for traffic violations as the current law enforcement is not efficient enough,” she said.

“Many tickets have been issued but only a few people have actually paid the fine as there were no specific procedures for when violators oppose the charges or ignore the fine.”

Ratchada pointed out that currently if a violator ignores a traffic ticket, officials need to file a criminal case, which usually takes a long time to process.

The draft divides traffic cases into three categories and designates different trial procedures for each.

One is traffic violations with specific punishment, such as driving without a licence or during licence suspension, running red lights and exceeding the speed limit. Under the new act, violators of these laws will not be issued a ticket or fined by police, they will instead be ordered to report to the investigation officer, who will schedule a court hearing.

Another category covers violations of the Motor Vehicle Act, Land Transport Act, or Highway Act, excluding violations that result in damage to other people or property. Police will fine violators of these laws, or have the investigation officer schedule a court hearing in case they oppose the charge or refuse to pay the fine.

The third category comprises other serious offences not included in the previous two categories, such as driving under the influence, in which violators will be tried under criminal procedures.

The Trial Procedures for Traffic Cases Act also allows the court to impose additional punishment beside the punishment stipulated in each law, to be implemented on a case-by-case basis, such as suspending or revoking a driver’s licence, making violators perform community service, or making them undergo traffic law training, Ratchada added.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus ... l/40019820
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Cabinet initially approves ‘Traffic Law Enforcement Department’ establishment to monitor and prosecute traffic law offenders

By Nop Meechukhun

6 September, 2022

The Cabinet Committee on Tuesday, September 6th, approved the establishment of the ‘Traffic Law Enforcement Department’ under the Traffic Case Draft Act to monitor and prosecute those who offended the traffic laws.

Government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said that the department was founded to solve problems of drivers’ lack of traffic law acknowledgment and obedience which affected the safety of drivers, passengers, and the general public.

According to the draft Traffic Case Act, The Traffic Law Enforcement Department would be operated separately from general criminal cases. The investigating officers would be authorized to issue an appointment letter for traffic offenders to present themselves at the court and notify the court to impose punitive measures against the offenders.

The types of traffic cases and the procedure for conducting traffic cases are divided into 3 groups as follows:

Group 1: Violators categorized in specific traffic offenses, such as driving without a driver’s license; driving while their driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or expired; failing to obey traffic lights; driving at an exceeding speed limit, etc.

Instead of receiving a ticket, offenders categorized in the group would be summoned to the investigating officer before officers would issue the court’s appointment letter to present themselves at the court.

Group 2: Violators who were categorized in other offenses that can be fined according to the Vehicle Act, Land Transport Act, Highway Act, and the regulations of the Expressway Authority of Thailand.

If the offender refuses to charge or pay the fine, the officers shall proceed with issuing a summon letter to the court.

Group 3: Violators who were excluded in Group 1 and Group 2 and catagorized as serious offenses, such as drunk driving.

Offenders would be investigated and proceed with legal procedures under the Criminal Procedure Code or the District Court, depending on the cases. The court may impose additional sections under this Act as appropriate.

TPN Media noted that the Act would have to be revised by the Office of the Council of State and representatives of the relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Justice Office, and the Royal Thai Police, before proposing to the parliament in the further step.

https://tpnnational.com/2022/09/06/cabi ... 1662596202
Jun

Re: Higher penalties for traffic violations

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Thu Sep 08, 2022 7:33 am “Many tickets have been issued but only a few people have actually paid the fine as there were no specific procedures for when violators oppose the charges or ignore the fine.”
Incredible. Perhaps they should tackle this before increasing fines.

Then, rather than invent new policy to fix the problem, they simply ought to carefully look at what other countries do and simply copy the best policy.

Quite a lot of governments might benefit from a "copy what works" method of setting policy. This should be far more effective than politicians mistakenly thinking they are smart enough to set intelligent policy themselves.
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