The Problem and Obstacle on Law Enforcement with The Drunken Driver By Traffic Police Metropolitan Division 6

Abstract

                  The objectives of the study were to investigate problems regarding law enforcement upon drunk drivers of Traffic Police Metropolitan Division 6, and to establish guidelines to develop effective enforcement of the law. The subjects of the study were judges, attorneys, 6 deputy superintendents, 24 traffic police officers (night shifts) from 8 police stations. This research relied on interviews as a data-collecting instrument and content analysis to analyze the collected data.

                  The results showed that Road Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (Amendment No. 7, B.E. 2550) also had space for a violation of drunk drivers who refused breath test. And those caught violations were punishable by only a fine of no higher than 1,000 Baht. If alcohol levels were found higher than that, the case would lead to imprisonment of no longer than one year or a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht, or both imprisonment and fine. Suspension of the driving license would be made by the court for at least six months. As for the case of the first-time offenders, most judges would consider light punishment of incarceration, which was a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 baht or imprisonment without parole for one-year probation. They also found that the technology used to measure the alcohol content is not enough; most of the equipment was not defective. And lack of a recording system of score deduction and revoking the driving license were also found. The research found lack of monitoring those repeating offenders. In terms of social values, people always drink in social gatherings and in entertainment complex. With this, drunk drivers are always found. Social patronage is the cause of having privileges over the legal system. This is one reason that keeps undermining effectiveness of laws.