A report in one of Thailand’s English newspapers, The Nation just reported on the amount of people caught running red lights in Bangkok. The article was headlined A Fine Mess. And that is just what it is.
These cameras are only new. They went through a trial period where 15 intersections were under trial. There were over 2,000 people who ran red lights in a week. I thought this was a high number, but it wasn’t.
Now the cameras operate at 30 intersections in Bangkok. They first month of their operations the caught more than 75,000 people running red lights. The fine is 500 Baht. This is a whopping 37,500,000 Thai Baht in fines that has been accumulated.
I have lived long enough in Thailand to know that so many Thais do not regard their own safety little only anyone else’s. A red light doesn’t mean stop, it doesn’t even mean slowdown to many Thais. When I am at traffic lights I always have a really good look after the light turns green to make sure there aren’t any red light runners.
Now, the problem the government is having is this; out of the 75,000 odd people to be sent traffic infringement notices, less than 5000 have paid the fine. I was actually surprised to read the fine also carries a 40 point reduction on their licence. I didn’t know Thailand had a demerit point system. I mean so many don’t have licences.
If you came to our school and watched the kids who ride motorbikes to school, some are too young to obtain a licence and others are too lazy to go and obtain one. I would honestly guess that at least 80% of kids who ride to our school don’t have a licence and it would be 95% that don’t wear a helmet.
Anyway, back to the red light cameras. I think they are a great idea but need to be implemented across the country on main streets in cities. On our main road here in Ubon Ratchathani, the red light runners would probably surpass Bangkok. people just don’t seem to give a shit about other motorists and stopping the minute or so at the light is just too much of an inconvenience for them.
To whomever, in the Thai government. Introduce more red light cameras across the country. Introduce fixed and also mobile speed cameras across Thailand and watch the huge amounts of revenue it will raise for the government and also provincial governments. You will have trouble knowing what to do with all the cash. There will still be plenty left over after all the skimming has been done and pockets have been padded.
That’s my opinion and rant, I think red light cameras and also speed cameras are great inventions, if reliable. What do you think?
Brunty
5 comments:
In my limited amount of time driving around Ubon I have to agree with you Brunty. It is rare (no exaggeration) not to have at least one person go through the intersection after the light has turned red. I have noticed also that some intersections turn green the second the other side goes red so if you took off quickly on a green the chances of an accident are very high.
I have quickly got into the habit of taking my time when the light goes green before getting the car going.
Last time I was in Ubon i winced as I saw a near accident. A motorbike took off on a green light and nearly got ploughed into by a pick up truck running a red. The car slammed on the skids, the bike deftly manoeuvred out of the way and he kept on riding. The man on the motorbike was a policeman and never batted an eye.
Andrew the drivers here in what I call the country ahve pretty well rules for themselves.
I always look a few times before taking off from the lights as it is hardly ever that someone doesn't run teh red light.
Police turn blind eyes to this all the time. I see it happen in front of them all the time and they do nothing.
I attended a horrible crash where Toyota is in Ubon. I was there when it happened. A drunk idiot Thai man ran the light when it was well and truly red and took out two girls on a bike. One was killed instantly, the other was very bad.
I offered critical care until the so called paramedics arrived and then I wanted to kill the guy but unlucky for me the police where there by then. The guy was so pissed he even tried to get back in his car and drive away but people stopped him.
I wrote about it somewhere... have to find it..
look at it this way Brunty - the practice weeds out stupid DNA from the gene pool.
Wow, that sounds awful. Please do see if you can find that blog, it would be an interesting read.
Coming home from Ubon last week we almist had an accident as a drunk had stopped in the middle of the highway, wheels on the centre road and opened his door to vomit and get this, he was talking on the mobile phone at the time.
Yes, drunks in Thailand are a worry and on the main highways just so scary. I will see if I can find the post. It is there somewhere.
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