Transport dept seeks opinions on harsh new penalties

Transport dept seeks opinions on harsh new penalties

The public can go to the Land Transport Department's website and give their opinions  on the proposed harsh new penalties for driving without a licence. (Photo by   Pornprom Satrabhaya)
The public can go to the Land Transport Department's website and give their opinions on the proposed harsh new penalties for driving without a licence. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The Land Transport Department is sounding out public reaction to the planned 5,000% hike in the fine for driving without a licence.

The department is inviting people to express their feelings about the proposal on its website, from now until Sept 11.

"All opinions will be gathered and taken into account during the process to consider the draft bill," the department announcement said.

The department plans to amend the law to increase penalties for driving without a licence or with an expired licence as part of its campaign to reduce road accidents.

Currently, driving without a licence carries a maximum penalty of 1,000 baht and/or one month in jail.

Motorists face a maximum fine of 2,000 baht if they drive when their licence has expired, been seized or withdrawn from use.

Under the proposal, the maximum fine for driving without a licence would be increased 50-fold to 50,000 baht and the maximum jail term from one to three months.

Driving with an invalid licence or when the licence has been seized or withdrawn by authorities would be raised to a maximum 50,000 baht from the current 2,000 baht, with the added option of a three-month jail term.

The plan was generally greeted with public opposition when initially announced. Even Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha questioned the increase.

Gen Prayut said on Aug 28 he disagreed with the idea and demanded a thorough study of all elements of the proposal from the department. He said he would not approve the amendment as it is if presented to the cabinet.

A Nida poll by the National Institute of Development Administration released on Sunday also showed a majority of people felt the punishment was too harsh, and were not convinced it would reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

The department tried to ease concern, saying on the website that the process was just at the beginning,  with several steps to be taken before the final decision is made.

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