Land Transport Department will collect traffic fines

The days of blowing off traffic tickets and fines left on your car or motorbike may be coming to a close. At least if you drive legally and pay your taxes. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Land Transport Department (LTD) have joined forces in a landmark agreement aimed at tackling the problem of unpaid traffic ticket fines.

Under the agreement, LTD officials will now collect fines from motorists and motorcyclists when they renew their car tax each year. The two agencies will make it easier to keep track of traffic violations and tickets by connecting their electronic information systems ad sharing info between them.

For many years, the police have struggled to enforce the payment of traffic fines. Many people simply refuse to pay. The RTP actually have very little power to collect the fines.

This new agreement gives the LTD the power to demand traffic fine payments when motorists and motorcyclists come to renew their car tax. Those who pay their outstanding tickets will receive their normal tax sticker.

But those who still won’t pay will have only a short window to drive legally. They’ll get a temporary sticker, valid only for 30 days. If they still refuse to settle their traffic fine debt, they will be subject to police action or additional fees.

The new measure, which will come into effect on April 1, is designed to complement the point deduction system. That system gives each driving license holder 12 points to start with and then points are deducted for each violation they are caught committing.

After going into effect, over 500 people lost points on the first day. Motorists and motorcyclists who are concerned about their point deduction scores or traffic tickets can check the E-ticket PTM website or the “Khab Dee” application.

Police hope that the new method of collecting traffic fines will scare motorists and motorcyclists into better traffic discipline. It is expected to have a significant impact on reducing the number of unpaid fines and improving road safety in Thailand.