Phone use must now be handsfree if driving
published : 14 Oct 2022 at 13:20
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Wassana Nanuam
Motorists using a mobile phone must use a handsfree wireless connection under a new police rule.
The government said making handsfree connection mandatory aims to reduce accidents, injuries and loss of life resulting from motorists using mobile phones while driving.
A Royal Thai Police Office announcement took effect on Oct 7.
Drivers are allowed to use mobile phones while at the wheel on the condition they must have a wireless connection device or a speaker phone affixed, so they do not have to hold the phone.
The wireless connector must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and must not obstruct the driver's view. A driver needing to operate a mobile phone manually must park the vehicle before doing so.
Violators could be fined 400-1,000 baht.
The announcement is subject to a review after five years in use, based on opinions from the public.
Learn from listening
Vocabulary
- affix: to fasten something to something else - ผูก, ติด, ประทับ
- fine: to be required to pay an amount of money because you have broken the law - ปรับเป็นเงิน
- mandatory: ordered by a law or rule - ตามข้อบังคับ
- manually: by hand - ด้วยมือ
- obstruct: to make it difficult for something to happen or for someone to go somewhere - ขวางทาง
- take effect: to begin to be used or required - ส่งผล
- violators (noun): people who go against or refuse to obey a law, an agreement, etc. - ผู้ฝ่าฝืน, ผู้ละเมิดกฎ
