Police target motorists who text

Police target motorists who text

Bangkok police on Tuesday launched a crackdown on drivers using mobile phones without hands-free devices.

Police take pictures of drivers as they use their mobile phones at Khlong Tan intersection in Bangkok. Those using a mobile phone while driving can face fines of 400 baht to 1,000 baht. photos by Somchai Poomlard

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Adul Narongsak carried out inspections at nine Bangkok intersections Tuesday to enforce the city-wide ban on using mobile phones while driving.

Checks were carried out at Khlong Tan, Sanghi, Bang Lamphu, Pracha Nukul, Ratchayothin, Asok, Ratchaprasong, Samyan and Sathon-Surasak intersections.

A total of 38 offenders were stopped and fined at the intersections Tuesday morning, Pol Maj Gen Adul said, adding that up to 100 offenders were expected to be stopped throughout the rest of the day.

A late report shows that more than 200 offenders were fined on this issue on Tuesday.

Despite the ban having been in force since 2008, the number of motorists talking on their phones or chatting on the Line application while driving continues to rise, Pol Maj Gen Adul said.

This has prompted the police to step up efforts to enforce the ban, both to reduce road accidents and ease traffic congestion caused by distracted motorists using their devices, he said.

Police have been instructed to take pictures of drivers who flout the ban as evidence, he said. Police took out their cameras yesterday and started snapping.

The 2008 Traffic Act imposes a ban on the use of mobile phones for drivers of all kinds of vehicles, including motorcycles. Violators are liable to a fine of between 400 baht and 1,000 baht. Drivers who use hands-free devices are exempt from the ban.

A closer look at how the police cameras can capture drivers as they talk on their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

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