Drunk drivers’ cars to be impounded
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Tough measures imposed to cut road toll over new yea break.
DRUNK DRIVERS will have to give up their vehicles for a while if their blood-alcohol level is found to be over legal limits during the upcoming New Year break.
Authorities will take custody of the vehicle at least until January 4 or 5 if a driver’s blood alcohol level is found to be above 50 milligrams.
Those whose blood alcohol level is within the legal limit but appear to be drunk will also be apprehended, until they sober up.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has launched these harsh measures in a bid to seriously deter drunk driving.
“It’s a way to return happiness to the people so that they can be safe from drunk drivers,” Maj-General Achichat Rojanaphirom, commissioner of the 22nd Military Circle, said yesterday.
Drunk driving is a major cause of road casualties in the country.
He said confiscated vehicles would be kept at police stations and military bases.
Both police and military forces have vowed to implement the measure seriously.
Army chief General Teerachai Nakwanich has already instructed soldiers to man checkpoints at both major and secondary roads during the New Year period.
If any driver was found to be drunk, their licence and vehicle would both be confiscated |temporarily, according to his order.
Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahatawon, acting head of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said separately that officials would keep a watch over seized vehicles.
Traffic Police Division spokesman Pol Colonel Ekkarak Limsangkas said police and soldiers would |also watch out for illegal road |racers.
“Vehicles of road racers will also be seized,” he said.
Army deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong, meanwhile, said soldiers would help facilitate traffic in front of Army bases between December 28 and January 4.
“Army bases will also serve as rest areas for vehicles and motorists.” She said that when motorists or their passengers drop by, they could also get drinking water, refreshing towels and advice on directions.
Corrections Department chief Naras Savestanan said that in addition to temporary vehicle seizures, drunk drivers would also face legal action.
Between January 1 and November 30 this year, Thailand had 42,831 drunk-driving cases. Most drunk drivers were over 25.
Drunk driving is punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to Bt20,000. If a drunk driver is convicted of causing injury to others, the harsher punishment is meted out. They may face up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to Bt200,000 and the revocation of their driver’s licence if their drunk driving caused deaths.
