Govt issues stark warning to drunk drivers as their number surges
If you drive while you are drunk you risk 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht, deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek warned on Saturday, as the number of motorists arrested for drunk driving on Thursday and Friday surged 95.9% over the same two-day period last year.
Her warning was timed with the surge in arrests on the first two days of what are called the seven dangerous days for road travel.
The Department of Probation said on Saturday that 1,433 motorists were put under court-ordered probation for driving under the influence on Thursday and Friday.
Weerakit Harnpariphan, the department’s director-general, said the number of drunk driving cases on the first two days of the deadliest week for traffic accidents in Thailand rose by 858 – or 95.9% – from 575 on the same two days last year.
The two days are the beginning of what is referred to as the “7 dangerous days” for driving in Thailand. They run from December 29 to January 4. Every year, road accidents and fatalities peak during the seven days, and hospital emergency wards fill up with accident victims.
The number of drivers put under probation for drunk driving on Thursday and Friday represents 95% of all 1,507 drivers put under court-ordered probation on the two days. Two drivers were put on probation for careless driving and 72 were put on probation for driving under the influence of drugs.
Nonthaburi saw 120 drunk driving cases one the first two days of the deadly week, the highest nationwide, followed by 105 in Samut Prakan and 92 in Bangkok, Department of Probation records showed.
Rachada said that under the Land Traffic Act No 13 of 2022, motorists arrested for drunk driving for the first time risk imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 baht.
Those who commit the same crime within two years of the first will see their jail term increase to up to two years and the fine to between 50,000 and 100,000 baht. The court can also suspend their driving licenses for at least one year or revoke them entirely, she said.
Drunk drivers who cause injuries or death risk 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000. Their driving licenses will be revoked.
Suspected drunk drivers who refuse to take breath tests will be regarded as being drunk, Rachada said.
Adult motorists with more than 50 mg% of alcohol in their blood are classified as drunk drivers. Those below 20 years of age or using a temporary license are classified as drunk if their blood alcohol count exceeds 20 mg%.
