4 replies to this topic

[DollyLamma]

"Three months from now, motorists in Thailand would be prohibited from using mobile phones without hand-free device while driving or they would face Bt400 to Bt1,000 in fine.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Wednesday approved the draft bill for land transport, which prohibited motorists from using mobile phones without hand-free device while driving, which would be in effect 90 days after the law was announced in the Royal Gazette."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30056054

[Hedda]

With fines of 400 to 1000 Baht, this new law may well prove a bigger cash cow for the police than the motorbike helmet law. I can just see the traffic jams along beach road or Sukhumvit as the cops line up the offenders for a cash contribution.

[gay_grampa]

Just another law. It will only be of any use if it's enforced. And if it's enforced will it apply to the wealthy Merc drivers as well as the lowly taxi drivers?
Another point - will it apply to motorcycle drivers? Many times I have seen guys on bikes on the phone weaving all over the road because they can't control the thing properly with one hand away from the handlebars.

[Gaybutton]

I see it as an exercise in futility. First, how will the police even spot cars whose drivers are on the phone? Most cars have tinted windows and you can't see inside. I've never seen police cruisers on the road trying to enforce traffic laws. They set up road blocks or stand in semi-strategic positions. All a driver would have to do is put down the phone when approaching a road block. At night or when it's raining, it's rare to see the police out there at all. On highways, expressways, in small towns, or even off main roads in large cities you're going to see people being pulled over because they're talking on a mobile phone? Somehow I don't think so.

Motorcycles will be easy to spot, I'll grant that. But I really don't see too many people driving motorcycles and talking on a mobile phone at the same time. It's usually the passengers, from what I observe. I'd much rather see the police doing something about the motorcyclists going the wrong direction on the streets than worrying about whether they're talking on a mobile phone, if it comes to priorities.

Even with hands-free devices, the drivers will still be distracted when they are trying to dial a number or look for a caller ID from an incoming call.

I certainly understand and agree with the intent of the law, but I don't see it as being very effective.

[DollyLamma]

I guess the next thing we will have to get used to seeing is Thai drivers pulling over to the side of the road to answer the phone when it rings !!