VIENTIANE, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Lao capital Vientiane authorities will soon commence imposing 10-fold fines on drunk drivers and speeding motorists in the capital, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Saturday.
The Traffic Police Department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security and Vientiane authorities have a plan to implement these elevated penalties with the aim of reducing road-related accidents, injuries and fatalities.
This year, Lao police intend to enforce the law and firmly penalize irresponsible road users more strictly, Vientiane Traffic Police Department Deputy Director Major Sangkhom Phommalath told Vientiane Times.
"Currently, we are making a draft plan for implementation of 10-fold increased fines and will submit to Vientiane People's Council this month. If the council approves, they will issue a notice to start the implementation of 10-fold fines in the capital," he said.
The 10-fold fines are to be implemented under the Prime Minister's Decree No. 188 issued in 2007 that outlines the measures to be taken against rule-breakers.
Those caught driving under the influence of alcohol will be fined 10,000 Lao kip (1.2 U.S. dollars) to 1 million kip depending on the type of vehicle they are driving, the official said.
Meanwhile, speeding drivers of other private vehicles such as cars, pick-up trucks, jeeps and vans which can be fined 50,000 kip will have to hand over 500,000 kip.
In the first four months of this year, 2,341 road accidents around the country resulted in 429 deaths, 3,816 people injured and 4,067 vehicles damaged, the report quoted the Lao Minister of Public Security, Major General Somkeo Silavong as saying.