Thailand Police are preparing to use a new penalty point system to deal with rogue motorists and careless drivers. This initiative is among the first things police do before gradually rolling out more e-policing measures.
The system will work in tandem with so-called “e-policing”, an initiative to keep drivers’ information on electronic platforms and enable police and transport officials to keep tabs on and act against wrongdoers, especially those who don’t pay their traffic ticket fines.
Police nationwide were recently trained on the ins and outs of the new law. Now, instead of seizing driving licences from traffic offenders, officers will enter data into a fully electronic or digital mode as quickly as possible.
The committee is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Police.
Not only will motorists be allowed to show their e-driving licences on their smartphones when they are pulled over, but they will also see points deducted from their scores for bad driving behaviour.
The new punishment is stipulated in Section 161 of the Road Traffic Act.
If the drivers lose all of their points, authorities will suspend their driving licences for three months. If they re-commit the violations, the suspension periods will be extended.
Officers are currently working on a list of traffic offences subject to point reductions. Public hearings will be held to allow people to share their views and add offences, particularly those related to severe accidents.
Once the new act comes into effect, the police will be given 90 days to issue organic laws, including laws on the criteria for proper driving behaviour, which must be put in place by 19 December 2019.
It is believed that instead of fines, the system of issuing point deductions, a concept that was taken from Japan, will be more effective in making people comply with the laws.
The use of virtual licences marks the start of the authorities’ efforts to digitise their legal actions.
When more jobs can be done on electronic platforms, it is not necessary for police to seize driving licences from wrongdoers, as it will burden those who are in many cases required to follow officers to pay fines and get their cards back.
Such cease to exist when people start carrying electronic driving licences.
The new licences, to be used on a mobile phone-based application developed by the Department of Land Transport, not only suit a modern lifestyle but can also serve as a way to remind motorists to pay their traffic fines.
Citizens can check the number of tickets issued by the police. Moreover, the department will attach quick response (QR) codes to each of the new driving licence cards, so owners can scan them and make the e-licences themselves on their smartphones.
Current driving licence cardholders can also ask for the QR codes at land transport offices countrywide, he added. check
Citizens have agreed with the move against fine defaulters but suggest that the police also be kept in check.
Pushing forward smart city goals
E-policing appears to be a natural step in pushing forward more smart city technology in Thailand.
An earlier OpenGov Asia article pointed out that Thailand is pushing for more collaboration with its international partners.
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Chair of ASEAN this year, noted that the group is now guiding 26 cities under the ASCN into becoming Smart Cities, which will create sustainability, economic and social opportunities and investment.
Thailand already has three smart cities, namely Phuket, Sriracha and Bangkok and is in the process of developing other areas into smart cities.
