Govt Targets Errant Motorists With Tough New Fines

Source: Vientiane Times

The government has strengthened the traffic regulations by imposing heavy fines for violators, with fines for drunk driving now ranging from 150,000 to 1,500,000 kip depending on the type of vehicle.

A new Prime Minister’s Decree, which came into force on September 16 and replaces the one issued in 2007, outlines the penalties for traffic rule breakers.

Motorbike riders who when tested are shown to have an alcohol level of 0.14 milligrams per litre (mg/litre) of breath will be fined 150,000 kip.

The drivers of four-wheeled vehicles will be fined 300,000 kip if they show an alcohol level of 0.24 mg/litre, while the drivers of passenger and other transport vehicles will be fined 1,500,000 kip if they show a high alcohol level after a breath test by police.

Drivers caught speeding over 101 km/hour will be fined 150,000 to 400,000 kip depending on the type of vehicle. The decree specifies speeding fines of 150,000 kip for motorbike riders, 180,000 kip for the drivers of three-wheeled vehicles and tractors, and the drivers of four-wheeled cars, pickup trucks, minivans and jeeps will be fined 200,000 kip.

In addition, the drivers of small passenger trucks will be fined 250,000 kip, while the fine for drivers of medium-sized passenger trucks is 300,000 kip. The fine for speeding bus drivers is 400,000 kip. The decree also stipulates fines for drivers who fail to wear a seatbelt. The drivers of cars, pickups, jeeps and minibuses will be fined 70,000 kip. The fine is 100,000 kip for the drivers of passenger trucks and small transport trucks, 150,000 kip for the drivers of medium-sized passenger and transport trucks, and 200,000 kip for the drivers of large passenger and transport trucks.

There are also specific fines for drivers who go through traffic lights on red and disobey other traffic signs.

The decree specifies a fine of 30,000 kip for bicycle riders and 100,000 for motorbike riders. The drivers of three-wheeled vehicles and tractors will be fined 120,000 kip while the fine for cars, pickup, minibuses and jeeps is 150,000 kip. Drivers of small passenger and transport trucks will be fined 300,000 kip, while the fine for medium passenger and transport trucks is 350,000 kip. The drivers of full-size buses and large trucks will be fined 400,000 kip.

Racing on streets will incur fines ranging from 150,000 to 1 million kip.

The fines in this category are 150,000 kip for bicycle riders, 200,000 kip for motorbike riders, 250,000 kip for three-wheeled vehicles, and 700,000 for cars, pickup, minibuses and jeeps. Drivers of small passenger and transport trucks will be fined 900,000 kip, while the fine is 950,000 for medium sized passenger and transport trucks and 1 million kip for the drivers of full-size buses and large trucks.

There are also fines for drivers who drive on the left side of the road instead of the right.

Bicycle riders will be fined 20,000 kip and motorbike riders 50,000 kip. Drivers of three-wheeled vehicles and tractors will be fined 60,000 kip, and drivers of cars, pickup, minibuses and jeeps will be fined 150,000 kip. Drivers of small passenger and transport trucks will be fined 150,000 kip, while the fine for drivers of medium-sized passenger and transport trucks is 170,000 kip, and 200,000 kip for full-size buses and large trucks. Motorbike riders and their passengers who fail to wear a helmet will be fined 50,000 kip.

The fines are another move by traffic police in their efforts to reduce the number of road accidents and cut the spiralling death toll.

According to the Traffic Police Department, 357 road accidents were recorded nationwide in August, down by 71 from July, but the number of fatalities rose from 60 in July to 66 in August.

Police say the most common causes of accidents are speeding, drunk driving and reckless driving.

The Vientiane Traffic Police Department says the number of accidents continues to be excessively high, with many people being killed because drivers ignore the rules and many drive while drunk.

In addition, many road users show blatant disregard for the traffic rules and engage in risky behaviour, a problem that is in dire need of attention.