Hua Hin Police Traffic Stops

[easyas]

endangering lives hopefully, not guilty.

Or endangering lives, hopefully not guilty?

[Takiap]

Let's not forget, the police DO NOT fine you for no helmet because they are concerned about your safety. 99% of the traffic police don't where helmets either once the finish their shift, while I've lost count of the number of times I've seen other MIB riding about in uniform without helmets on. They of course don't get stung.

Just look around you and you'll often see a traffic police officer stop at a red light where there are loads of people with no helmets, and he doesn't even bat an eyelid. When he stops you tomorrow at a roadblock, he is only doing it because he's been told to. Once off shift, he's just another regular Thai going about his life.

I often sit and have a few beers at a shop owned by a high ranking policeman, and it's not unusual to see a group of Thai (sometimes also policemen) finish off a bottle or two of whiskey, and then get up and leave on their bikes. Why doesn't the policeman stop them? He simply couldn't be bothered because........

He is off shift
He works in a different department
Arresting customers is very bad for business




Of course I want to carry on living here. Not because I agree with drink driving, but because I just love the craziness of it all.

[Big Boy]

If you think over taking in the motorbike lane is ok you should really try riding one ...

Sorry, I was thinking dual carriageway.

Yes, I've seen them undertaking in the M/C lane. Probably more akin to Fortuners than mini-buses or pick-ups in my experience. I will only move to that lane if there's an idiot comimg at me in the opposite direction - certainly, never to undertake.. I always stay very aware of what is going on in the M/C lane, and would not deliberately put a M/C at risk.

[Big Boy]

endangering lives hopefully, not guilty.

Or endangering lives, hopefully not guilty?

Sorry, I don't understand that post.

[HHTel]

I think someone was trying to show the importance of a comma!!

[Big Boy]

OK, point taken and accepted . I was hoping the change of colour would have sufficed to indicate my comments on the original post.

[Ralfredo]

Personally, if a person doesn't want to wear a helmet, then I thinks that's their choice to make. I can't see why it would make any difference to my life if someone chooses to ride without one or not. It might be foolish to do so, but isn't that their business?

I kind of agree with you but if you live in a country with tax financed healthcare others accidents, at least theoretically, rise your taxes... In Thailand I guess that argument is more or less void...

[Big Boy]

There was a slightly different twist when I was stopped by the railway station less than an hour ago.

As usual, the police officer waved me down, and I put the window down. He wasn't interested in my licence this time. He simply looked at Mrs BB and me, and said (in Thai), "You're OK, but if either of you wasn't wearing a seat belt, it would have been a 100 Baht fine each."

I didn't even realise that Thailand had seatbelt laws . Fortunately, we always wear our belts anyway.

What happens when a car doesn't have seat belts?

[sandemb]

In Thailand, there are four stages pertaining to the legislation of safety belt laws. The first stage was implemented in 1979, making the wearing of seat belts compulsory for the driver and front seat passenger. On January 1, 2009, the second stage mandated the wearing of rear seat belts. Passenger vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1995 and those weighing more than 3.5 tons are exempted from this rule. The third and fourth stages, which will deal with baby and child seats and the number of passengers in a vehicle, have not taken effect.

The reality is a different matter!


edit --- Road safety is generally a noteworthy issue in Thailand, as described in a previous blog, however during holidays the situation even worsens. According to the Road Safety Centre, 321 people in Thailand died during the Songkran week from the 11th to the 17thApril 2013. Another 3,040 got injured in a total of 2,828 accidents. In almost 40% of the cases drunk driving was the reason for the accident and in another 24% speeding. Wet roads and incautiously celebrating people enhance the difficulty on the streets, making drunk and speedy driving even more dangerous than under normal circumstances.

[Ralfredo]

On January 1, 2009, the second stage mandated the wearing of rear seat belts.

I have tried to find a taxi in Thailand with working seat belts in the rear seat. I started searching a few years ago, and I am still searching...

[Dannie Boy]

On January 1, 2009, the second stage mandated the wearing of rear seat belts.

I have tried to find a taxi in Thailand with working seat belts in the rear seat. I started searching a few years ago, and I am still searching...

They do exist - my regular taxi driver who is BKK based, has a couple of fairly new Corollas and they have rear seatbelts.

[jumusman]

On January 1, 2009, the second stage mandated the wearing of rear seat belts.

I have tried to find a taxi in Thailand with working seat belts in the rear seat. I started searching a few years ago, and I am still searching...

I have yet to see a Thai person EVER use a turn signal. I have only been here 2 years though, I have high hopes for 2014, I think its going to be my year!

[Big Boy]

There was a slightly different twist when I was stopped by the railway station less than an hour ago.

As usual, the police officer waved me down, and I put the window down. He wasn't interested in my licence this time. He simply looked at Mrs BB and me, and said (in Thai), "You're OK, but if either of you wasn't wearing a seat belt, it would have been a 100 Baht fine each."

OK, the point I was trying to make, and judging by the comments so far is that the BIB have thought of a new 'legal' money making idea. I was in a line of vehicles being checked - it could be anybody next time. I'm just trying to warn people.

[Lung Per]

Last month I was stopped in my car by two traffic cops on one of the small sois leading from the railroad road to Petchakasem. They were obviously on their private little collection raid. The older cop searched and searched for something he could point his finger at. He found nothing. Before he let me go he smiled and said "Tip?". I smiled back and drove on. No tip this time fellas.

[dtaai-maai]

EDIT: Apologies, I have apparently lost the ability to read...