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Traffic Offense Points System
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On January 16, 2002, the Traffic Offense Points System was implemented. It is yet to be seen how strictly this law will be enforced in the rather unsystematic traffic law enforcement situation in Thailand, or the extent of inconvenience one endures in its legal procedure, or whether it affects holders of an International Driving Permit or a driver's license from a foreign country. One thing is clear. To keep away from hassles, one needs to understand its target offenses. This page aims to introduce the outline of the Traffic Offense Points System. |
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Commentary by Pattaya Mail (A) 10 Points
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Nation Traffic offenders face new penalties from today A new police campaign that promises tougher punishments for traffic violators kicks off nationwide today, amid high expectations of improved driver discipline and eased traffic problems. Motorists who commit any of the 16 traffic offences targeted by the campaign will have their driving licences impounded for 15 days. Those caught driving while their licences have been suspended face a maximum fine of Bt2,000. Under a new points system, drivers who commit traffic violations laid out in the Land Traffic Act of 1979 will be "awarded" between 10 and 40 penalty points for each offence. Those who accumulate more than 60 points will be fined and banned from driving for 90 days. Most drivers interviewed yesterday by The Nation approved of the campaign and expected it to help improve driver discipline and eventually ease the country's traffic problems. However, many were concerned that unscrupulous traffic police would find ways to make money from the new campaign. Assistant police commander Lt General Udom Charoen, who chaired a meeting of traffic police to discuss the new campaign yesterday, said that in the early stages of the campaign, police would limit their get-tough approach to drivers committing "flagrantly intentional" violations. Udom admitted that confusion was possible when the new campaign was first implemented as both traffic police and motorists were new to the points system. He also said motorists who believed they had been unfairly treated could appeal to the police commander within 15 days of being booked. The national police chief would then order an investigation within 30 days of the appeal. Motorists who appeal will be cleared if no offence can be proven within 30 days. Until now, most motorists have not been overly concerned about having their licences confiscated, as they can usually claim them back a few days later after paying a small fine. Under the new campaign, however, they will have to wait at least 15 days after paying their fines at the police station whose officers seized their licences. Confiscated licences will be sent to Bangkok's Traffic Control and Directing Centre for processing under the points system. Offences will be recorded and licences labelled with coloured stickers denoting the type of offence. If any of the 16 listed offences is repeated within one year, motorists will be required to take a three-hour driving course, after which they will sit a driving test. They must pass the test to get their licences back. Motorists who repeat one of the 16 offences and accumulate more than 60 points will have to undergo the above steps and will be prohibited from driving for no more than 90 days. Those who drive during the ban risk a maximum fine of Bt1,000 and a jail term of no more than one month, or both. Traffic police chief Maj-General Dusitsan Therapat said procedures would be slightly different in the provinces, although violators would also have to wait 15 days to get their licences back. The long waiting period was aimed at discouraging repeat offences, he said. Deputy Prime Minister Pitak Intrawityanunt, who oversees the new campaign, expressed hope yesterday that with fewer traffic violations, traffic flow would improve. |
Bangkok Post New points system enforced from today The driver's licence points system starts nationwide today, with police poised to give demerits and ``bad record'' stickers to errant motorists. Drivers who amass more than 60 demerit points in a year will have their licences suspended for 90 days and face a fine or a jail term if caught driving during that time. Deputy Prime Minister Pitak Intra-witayanunt said there was a lack of equipment needed to enforce the system _ such as speed detectors _ in some provinces, but funds would be set aside as requests came in. He did not think fears the system would fuel police graft were justified. ``If there are problems, motorists can file complaints to higher-ups,'' he said. Deputy city police chief Pol Maj-Gen Wongkot Maneerin said the new system was aimed at preventing traffic law violations, not punishment. Under the regulations, 16 violations will earn a range of demerit points. In Bangkok, violators will be issued tickets and must pay fines within seven days at the issuing police station, where offences will be recorded on computer. Their licences will then be sent to the traffic command centre on Si Ayutthaya road and returned with stickers bearing four different symbols, depending on violations. Sticker A (10 points) is for bad driving and driving on footpaths (10 points) Sticker B (20 points) is for overtaking other vehicles on the left, or in an inappropriate situation, and parking in a traffic lane or on a poorly-lit road shoulder. It is also for taxi drivers who deposit passengers short of their destinations or refuse to pick up passengers. Sticker C (30 points) is for careless driving and speeding. Sticker D (40 points) is for stopping vehicles beyond a stop line, drunken driving, hit-and-run and illegal racing. In the provinces, the points recording process will take 15 days. |