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A parade for the campaign against talking on cell-phones while driving in Chiang Mai yesterday. The banner says, “Please do not use the phone while driving”.
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Get the message?
By Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong
Daily Xpress
Published on May 9, 2008
Police cautions and campaigns to ensure everyone undertsands that from now on, driving with a cell-phone in one hand is simply not acceptable
The ban on mobile-phone use while driving came into effect yesterday. As of 6pm yesterday, city police caught 116 Bangkok motorists talking on their cells while driving City police deputy commissioner Phanu Kerdlarpphol was handing out information sheets about the ban at Suthisarn intersection. He says there are 110 cameras at intersections across Bangkok and 30 more will be installed in June. As well as the cameras, telephone records can be checked to see if they were used while driving. He says those caught between now and May 19 will be given a warning only. After that offenders can be fined up to Bt1,000.
Round-the-clock watch Officer Sathaporn Damraskan is in charge of the cameras and he says three shifts of four police each man camera monitors. They are on the lookout for drivers with raised hands. He says there are some teething problems with cameras incorrectly positioned. Police say many motorists have purchased hands-free kits. The motorists say the ban will smooth traffic flow and reduce accidents. A 29-year-old motorist Somkid Phasisuk says the ban is a good thing because drivers talking on telephones cause many accidents.
Tickets, with proof Advanced Info Service provided 20,000 small-talk devices to Highway Police for distribution. Some 2,000 such devices were handed out at the Thap Chang tollgate yesterday. Highway Police commander Maj-General Phasin Noksakul says 50 cameras have been installed on highways that are effective from 200 metres. Photo evidence is sent along with tickets to violator's homes. Fines must be paid within 15 days. Failure to do so can result in suspension of the driver's licence. The Highway Police sent out patrol cars to scout for drivers flouting the ban. "The highway policemen pulled the offending drivers over and issued them written warnings," says Highway Police deputy commander Colonel Roy Inkapairoj. The patrols spotted 235 drivers in Bangkok and adjacent provinces who were breaking the new law. In Chiang Mai, traffic police quizzed motorists at the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong intersection and rewarded drivers with Bluetooth hands-free devices. Senior police are encouraging people to photograph offenders with their personal digital cameras, too.
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