How about applying a little more pressure to drunk-drivers?

“We have seized these vehicles to prevent road casualties,” Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda said on Monday. I assume those caught driving while drunk will have their vehicles returned quickly after they pay the fine.

While the seizure is a good idea, there is an even harsher law being applied in the UK. Uninsured drivers caught by the police not only have their vehicle impounded, but also must pay a fine and a daily storage rate on top of the impounding fee. If they do not produce an insurance certificate within a few days, the vehicle is then crushed – not sold at auction.

Though harsh, this is undoubtedly a strong deterrent for would-be violators. Perhaps it could also be applied in Thailand to tackle the chronic problem of drunk driving. The threat of losing their vehicle for good without any recompense would certainly concentrate minds.

Ewan