Traffic police on Wednesday put into service a new camera system to catch motorists who illegally change lanes at 15 locations in Bangkok - and about 7,500 violators were caught in less than 12 hours.
Pol Maj Gen Jirapat Phumjit, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the "Lane Change Camera System" was aimed at reducing accidents and relieving congestion near flyovers and underpasses.
The system was given a trial run last month, when it detected about 226,000 violators.
Put into full operation at 15 spots on Wednesday, from midnight to 11.30am it caught about 7,500 vehicles crossing solid lane lines, he said.
Pol Col Kitti Ariyanont, deputy commander of traffic police, said the high-definition cameras were capable of capturing pictures of vehicles and their plate numbers in all weather, around the clock.
Tickets would be sent to today's violators in a week and they could pay fines of up to 1,000 baht through Krungthai Bank, he said.
The 15 locations where the cameras are working:
- inbound Ngam Wong Wan Road at Bang Khen intersection
- outbound Chaeng Watthana Road at the Government Complex
- inbound Chaeng Watthana Road at Bang Khen roundabout
- outbound Boromratchonnanee Road near Boromratchonnanee intersection
- outbound Phetchaburi Road at Ratchathewi intersection
- inbound Ratchawithee Road at Din Daeng intersection
- outbound Ratchadaphesek Road at Prachanukul intersection
- outbound Arun Amarin Road at Siriraj flyover on Arun Amarin side
- inbound Lat Phrao Road at Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection
- outbound Lat Phrao Road at Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection
- outbound Ratchadaphisek Road at Wong Sawang intersection
- outbound Ratchadaphisek Road at Rama IV intersection
- inbound Ratchadaphisek Road at Huai Khwang intersection
- inbound Prajadhipok Road at Memorial Bridge
- outbound Kalapaphruek Road at Kamnan Maen intersection