Bt15m earmarked for RFID system
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) and the Land Transport Department have earmarked Bt15 million to install radiofrequency identification (RFID) cameras to detect speed violations on Bangkok expressways, Exat governor Aiyarat Thinapai said yester
The Kanchanapisek, Burapavithi and Chalongrat expressways will be equipped with two cameras each, he said. From April 1, the authorities will implement the RFID system and public transport vans are required to have RFID tags, which will cost the owners Bt120 annually. The first phase will cover the Don Muang tollway, expressways and motorways before it is expanded to other roads, he added.
In addition, the punishment for speeding has been increased 10fold from a Bt500 fine to Bt5,000, while repeat offenders will end up having to pay Bt10,000 and will get their licence revoked.
In order to prevent cars from falling off the expressway, Exat has installed flexible fences, with each spot costing Bt700,000. The fencing has been installed at the Phayathai overpass as well as Kanchanapisek, Rama 6, Chalongrat, Ram Inthra and Burapavithi expressways.
The National Health Foundation’s Academic Centre for Road Safety reported a 72 per cent increase in van registrations from 3,230 vans in 2006 to 17,970 in 2010.
