Helmet-less drivers to have bikes seized

PHUKET: In an effort to improve Phuket’s road safety, officials will soon be launching a new campaign that will see the motorbikes of helmet-less drivers seized on the spot.

Offenders will be released and their motorbikes returned only after being escorted to the police station to view road-accident videos, to purchase a 99-baht helmet, and to pay the maximum fine, confirmed Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada.

The governor, in collaboration with the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) Phuket Office, will launch the ‘one district, one road, with 100 per cent helmets’ campaign on February 1, which aims to educate motorcyclists about the hazards of driving without a helmet.

“Each district will have a checkpoint set up on a main road. Officers will conduct random checks for helmets every day during random times,” Governor Chamroen said.

The names of all offenders will then be sent to the DDPM for their records.

“If any of the offenders are government officials, we will have their employers reprimand them further. If they are students, we will inform their school to reprimand them further and to educate them about road safety,” said Gov Chamroen.

“We plan to do this for a month initially. However, I don’t want to set a deadline. My goal is to continue with this initiative until I see a report of zero helmet related arrests.”

— Kongleaphy Keam