Crackdown on traffic violators planned

PATONG: The Superintendent of Kathu Police Station has warned that from February 1 his officers will begin a crackdown on people who break traffic laws, particularly in Patong. Pol Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette that Patong’s traffic problems have worsened since police began taking a softer line on law-breakers last October. The softer line was introduced in response to violent protests in Nakhon Sri Thammarat by motorcycle riders who felt that traffic police were applying the laws too vigorously. Col Paween said that in the run-up to the start of tougher action, he will distribute flyers to remind people about the traffic laws and to warn them about the impending crackdown. “At the moment, we still go out, but we do not arrest people who break traffic laws. [Since Nakhon Sri Thammarat] the situation has got worse, with people not wearing helmets and motorbikes carrying three people or more.” He noted that there is also a problem of people parking in no-parking zones. From February 1 these people, too, risk being caught and fined, he said. “I think if people obey the traffic laws the numbers killed and injured in Phuket will fall. They will also provide a good example for foreigners to follow,” Col Paween added.