Legal Measures to Prevent the Impact of Driving Under the Influence of Psychotropic Drugs on Public Safety in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand has a high number of traffic fatalities, with a portion of them attributed to driving under the influence of psychotropic drugs. The goal of this research is to study international principles for controlling drunk driving, to study legal measures in Thailand and other countries, and to propose the model of appropriate legal measures. The results showed that Thailand has multiple road safety policy agencies. There is a maximum alcohol levels and increased penalties for amphetamine and methamphetamine users. Drivers are subjected to physical examinations in accordance with international standards. Penalties are prescribed including, fines, imprisonment, suspension or revocation of license, and demerit point systems. The recommendations of this article are that a primary responsible agency should be established to improve control of specific issues, the definition of “other intoxicating substances” should be expanded in Section 43 (2) and the driving under the influence of all serious narcotic drugs - schedule I of the Narcotics Code should be considered an offense under Section 43 bis of the Road Traffic Act B.E.2522 (1979). The driving under the influence of different psychotropic substances should be classified with appropriate penalties. It is recommended that the duration of the driver’s detention should be cleared; drug use should be prohibited after driving; fines should be determined based on income, drug potency, and repeated offenses; asset forfeiture penalties should be imposed; saliva-based drug screening should be implemented; and alternative justices should be provided for offenders.