Leaving drink driving cases up to the police just isn’t right, says key official

The head of the Thai anti drink driving foundation has said that leaving drink driving cases up to the discretion of the police force is allowing guilty people to get away with the crime.

In an article headlined “No breath test=No justice” Dr Thaejing Siripanich said that the police must process all cases without question.

Problems exist at present because of funding for the breath tests. With the 40 million baht yearly cost falling on the police sometimes drunk drivers get away with it because of police reluctance to pay for the tests.

Dr Thaejing did not directly mention the possibility of corruption.

He wants to see the police do their job – in every case involving injury.

His foundation are seeking ways for the government to take on the burden of paying for the tests that cost between 500 and 1,000 baht a time.

They are proposing that it be mandatory for drink driving tests in all accidents that involve injury.

Daily News – that have been conducting a widespread campaign to improve safety on the roads – said that 200-300,000 people were injured each year on the roads.

They did not specify how many of these were alcohol related.

Thai Visa / Daily News

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