Authorities to Intensify Crackdown on Drunk Driving During Extended Break
Thai authorities are set to intensify efforts to curb drunk driving over the four-day New Year break. Police chief Pol General Torsak Sukvimol has ordered a strict nationwide enforcement at checkpoints to deter impaired driving.
He advises travelers to drive sober and perform vehicle checks to prevent mishaps. Drivers under 20, with less than two years of driving experience, or those with special vehicle licenses, will face penalties if their blood alcohol level exceeds 20mg/100ml. For drivers over 20 with standard licenses, the limit is 50mg/100ml.
Penalties for drunk driving include fines up to 120,000 baht, a possible six-year jail term, and license revocation. In cases resulting in death, fines can reach 200,000 baht and jail terms up to ten years.
Beyond drink driving, authorities are also targeting drug and weapon violence during the holiday season, from December 29 to January 1, 2024.
An operational center spearheaded by the Interior Ministry aims to reduce accidents by enforcing laws and establishing checkpoints, particularly in accident-prone areas. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hopes the New Year will be safely celebrated as a time of joy and family reunions.
The Department of Probation reports that, compared to the previous year, drunk-driving-related accidents increased by 8.88% during the last New Year period, with a total of 8,923 incidents.