Crackdown on Motorcyclists Riding without Helmets by Law Enforcement
Thailand to Establish Nationwide Enforcement of Motorcycle Helmet Use from June 1
Starting June 1, 2025, Thai authorities will launch a "Safe Roads Project," focusing on stricter enforcement of motorcycle helmet usage, particularly in high-risk areas including schools and educational institutions.
Police Lieutenant General Nitithorn Jintakanon, the head of the traffic police image enhancement taskforce, announced the launch during a press conference on Tuesday. The initiative aims to promote road safety awareness and ensure more effective traffic management.
The project will focus on key roads with frequent traffic violations or accidents, as well as areas near schools and educational institutions. The increased focus on these locations is due to their elevated risks of accidents and the presence of vulnerable populations, such as students.
The enforcement will aim for 100% compliance with helmet laws as dictated by Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, making both motorcyclists and passengers liable to fines of up to 2,000 baht if they fail to wear helmets. Repeat offenders may face double penalties if passengers are also found without helmets.
The fine has been increased from the previous 500 baht, reflecting the government's commitment to reducing fatalities and injuries among motorcyclists, a vulnerable road user group in Thailand.
The "Safe Roads Project" is a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing accidents involving motorcycles in these sensitive areas. Local governments, educational entities, and private organizations have pledged support for the project to foster a culture of safety, with increased patrols and educational efforts concentrated on these identified zones.
The high-risk areas targeted for the increased helmet enforcement include:
- High-traffic roads
- Accident-prone spots
- Locations near schools and universities
This targeted enforcement forms part of Thailand’s broader road safety improvement strategy.
The "Safe Roads Project" extends beyond motorcycle helmet enforcement, also involving local governments, educational institutions, and private organizations in its mission to promote road safety awareness. These partnerships aim to foster a culture of safety, especially in high-risk areas such as transportation hubs, high-traffic roads, and accident-prone spots.
The increased focus on helmet law compliance in vulnerable areas like schools and universities underlines the importance of finance and industry collaboration, as the fines collected contribute to improving road safety infrastructure and funding traffic management initiatives in Thailand.
