BANGKOK, 4 January 2017 (NNT) - The government will enforce Section 44 of the interim charter to tighten road rules up following a rising number of road accidents during the New Year. The punishment for violating traffic laws will be increased.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday said the government will take legal actions against all types of public vehicles breaking traffic rules. Section 44 would be enforced in the hope to prevent accidents before the Songkran festival in April this year, he said.

Deputy Government Spokesman Col.Athisit Chaiyanuwat said the Cabinet had approved a draft of the Land Transport Act that adjusted fines for petty offences in line with the current situation and the criminal code. The law was aimed at making commuters fear to break traffic rules, he said.

Government Spokesman Lt.Gen.Sansern Kaewkamnerd added that the government would enforce Section 44 while the parliament considered the draft Act. Passenger vans that carried more passengers than they could take would face more penalties, said the spokesman.

Deputy Spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order Col.Sirichan Ngathong said the government stepped up its road safety measures on the last day of the New Year's festival with a focus on public vehicles.

From 29 December 2016 to 3 January 2017, more than 4,200 vehicles were impounded and almost 60,000 commuters faced charges.

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