Police Warn Drivers Who Fail to Stop at Zebra Crossings Face 4,000 Baht Fine

Police have warned that motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings will face a 4,000 baht fine and one point deducted from their license immediately under new traffic laws.

The increased penalties and point deduction system has been in effect since January 9 and will now be enforced by police after a grace period and awareness campaign, according to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

Ms Rachada stated that the new laws are aimed at improving safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians using zebra crossings.

Failure to yield to pedestrians results in a 4,000 baht fine, up from 1,000 baht previously, as well as an automatic point deduction from the driver’s license, she said.

Every driver starts with 12 points under the points system, with deductions for traffic violations. The offender’s license will be suspended for 90 days once they reach zero.

Driving while the suspension is in effect results in a three-month jail sentence and a fine of up to 10,000 baht. Ms Rachada stated that four suspensions in three years will result in a complete driving ban.

Traffic Fines to be enforced by police

Fines for traffic offenses will increase, with penalties for speeding or failing to stop at pedestrian crossings rising four-fold to 4,000 baht, when the amended Land Traffic Act came into force Sept 5, 2022.

Police Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapat, the deputy national police chief and director of the traffic management center, outlined the new penalties as follows:

• Motorists convicted of drink driving will face a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht. If they repeat the same offence within two years, they will face a jail term of up to two years and/or a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 baht.
• Fines for traffic law offenders will be increased from 1,000 baht to 4,000 baht for driving at speeds exceeding the legal limit, jumping red lights at intersections and failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing.
• Fines for those who drive backwards, fail to wear crash helmets and safety belts will be increased to 2,000 baht from 500 baht.
• Drivers convicted of driving without regard for the safety of others’ lives will face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of between 5,000 and 20,000 baht, compared with up to 3 months’ jail time and/or a fine of 2,000 to 10,000 baht at present.

The amended traffic law also imposes heavy penalties for street racers, organizers of street races and operators of shops that modify motorcycles for street racing.

Thailand has decided to not enforce a child car-seat rule yet, as authorities still need time to draw up guidelines on what can be used to protect young passengers if car seats cannot be installed. The car-seat rule is expected to come into force later this year.

At present, motorists may challenge traffic police tickets via sub-district courts. However, the process is quite complicated.