FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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12 drivers nabbed in Pokemon crackdown

12 drivers nabbed in Pokemon crackdown

TRAFFIC POLICE arrested 12 motorists on Bangkok’s roads yesterday as part of their “Pokemon Traffic No Go” campaign.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn said two drivers were nabbed on Rama IV, eight on Sukhumvit Road, and two on Ramkhamhaeng Road for using their cell phone while driving – a violation of Article 43(9) of the Land Traffic Act. The campaign was launched to prevent and reduce traffic accidents that have been growing since Pokemon Go was released in Thailand on August 6. 
Pol Lt-colonel Bowornphob Soonthornraekha, deputy superintendent at the Phayathai Police Station, said the campaign was being implemented on 10 major roads in Bangkok, including Rama IV, Sathon, Vibhavadi Rangsit, Phahonyothin, Sukhumwit, Phayathai, Petchburi, Henri Dunant, and Rama I roads where traffic volume is high. He said that Phetburi and Phayathai roads are always busy and officers have to enforce the law more strictly to prevent accidents.
“The project not only [targets] anybody using phones while driving, but also the pedestrians chasing Pokemon carelessly until they are on roads, possibly causing traffic |accidents,” he said.
“If officers spot anyone using phones while driving, they will take photos as evidence to impose a Bt400 to Bt1,000 fine, while pedestrians not walking on footpaths will be warned according to the Traffic Act.”
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