The new points-based driving licence system that came into effect in Thailand on January 9 increases penalties for drivers who fail to respect pedestrian crossings.
See: Guide to Thailand's New Points-Based Driving License System
Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians will be subject to a maximum fine of 4,000 baht (112.26 euros) and the immediate deduction of one point from their driving licence.
According to Rachada Dhnadirek, deputy government spokesperson, this new law was put in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians at crosswalks.
Every driver with a driving license has 12 points.
Any driver who loses all 12 points will have their license suspended for 90 days.
After the third total loss of points in three years, the license may be suspended for a longer period.
If the fourth point is lost, the driving license may be revoked.
Any driver who violates the suspension order is liable to a maximum penalty of three months in prison and/or a maximum fine of 10,000 baht (280.67 euros).
Any points deducted will be returned within one year of the date of the offense.
Source: Pattaya Mail
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5 comments
Well, not too soon, tired of running to cross a road.
Has the points-based driving licence system, introduced in France a long time ago, borne fruit and led to a significant reduction in traffic offences?
I don't remember if any statistics have been compiled on this subject, because this measure of points deduction is only one part of the whole range of measures taken to ensure the safety of users and combat non-compliance with the highway code in general...
It is therefore difficult to isolate the beneficial influence of a points-based license system.
But just one remark that came to mind immediately when reading the article: failure to respect the stopping of vehicles at pedestrian crossings is punishable in Thailand by the loss of 1 point out of 12, whereas in France, a motorist would have 6 points out of 12 deducted!!!
The value of a pedestrian's life on a pedestrian crossing is not the same in Thailand as it is in France...
That's the least we can say, and when we know the number of Thai drivers who drive while drunk or under the influence of "Yaba", I have serious concerns about the fact that these drivers, in their condition, have the ability to press their brakes in time to stop at the pedestrian crossing on the road!
Already sober drivers start off again even when there are red lights at certain pedestrian crossings, as soon as they see that no pedestrian is crossing without waiting for the lights to turn green!!!!
And another point in conclusion: if the points-based license allows Thailand to leave the infamous podium of the most dangerous countries in the world in terms of road accidents, the police still need to shake themselves up by being much more present in daily traffic and systematically recording infractions... when I see in my district how the new fines for not wearing helmets for motorcyclists are (or rather are not) applied, I already have doubts about the motivation of the police brigades, except when it comes to issuing tickets to tourists renting vehicles under various pretexts to supplement their income...
I think everyone has already witnessed this kind of scene in Pattaya, Bangkok or Phuket in particular!
But hey, let's not lump all police officers together and let's hope that the majority of them will get their asses in gear to apply this new regulation so that it bears fruit with bonus statistics by the end of this year.
And what about motorcycles that ride on sidewalks with no regard for pedestrians?
Should we carry baseballs around and get some exercise, or slash our tires?
It's a shame it's come to this!
You really have to believe it, because respect for pedestrians has never been a priority in Thailand!
A friend recently told me: "Consideration for pedestrians is like the sidewalks and, when you see the face of the sidewalks..."
And then, in terms of the driving/merchant hierarchy, a luxury limousine is worth more than a pick-up truck, which is worth more than a motorcycle, which is worth more than a pedestrian, the latter having the meager consolation of being just above stray dogs and cockroaches.
With or without a license, with or without points, I think that, during future road checks, it could be Christmas every day of the year for the incorruptible police.
Yesterday, while driving at night, I was wondering if there are any plans to deduct points for motorcycles driving against the flow of traffic, or for vehicles of any kind without lights?
Hahaha, there's work to be done.