Heads up: helmets-for-all crackdown

PHUKET TOWN: From October 1, Phuket police will enforce a law requiring both riders and passengers on motorcycles to wear helmets. The long-standing law has been applied in recent years only to riders, not passengers, but concern has continued to grow over the number of deaths and injuries on the island’s roads. The latest crackdown comes at the instigation of Vice-Governor Pongpow Ketthong, who arrived on the island in June as a replacement for Manit Wattanasen. Pol Col Paween Pongsirin, Superindent of Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette today that from October 1, the law would be applied to all people on motorcycles, day and night. Police have the discretion to impose a fine of between 200 baht and 500 baht for the offense but it is understood that the standard fine for offenders will be 300 baht. The crackdown is expected to bring a boom in the sales of helmets. However, road safety experts point out that while wearing proper head-protection saves lives, helmets do not prevent accidents from happening.