The Department of Land Transport is accelerating the implementation of vehicle warning signals to resolve issues caused by self-lifting dump trucks that have caused public disturbances.
Mr. Sorapong Phaithoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT), revealed that following the incident on 18 December 2025, where a dump truck’s raised bed struck a pedestrian overpass causing it to collapse onto the truck and pickup trucks on Thepharat Road (Bangna-Trad), resulting in casualties, the DLT is urgently establishing enhanced safety measures. These require vehicle manufacturers, body builders, freight operators, and dump truck owners to install warning devices that alert the driver with sound and light signals if the truck bed is raised or not fully lowered. This rule will be enforced promptly for both new and already registered vehicles. The warning system will activate audible and visual alerts inside the driver’s cabin when the truck bed is raised or not fully lowered, encouraging driver caution. The alerts will cease only when the truck bed is fully lowered.
The Director-General added that the DLT will mandate the installation of audible and visual warning devices on new dump trucks as soon as possible. This requirement will also extend to over 377,000 already registered dump trucks.
The installation of these sound and light warning devices aims to prevent accidents caused by raised or partially lowered truck beds striking pedestrian overpasses, tunnels, or underpasses. This measure enhances safety and protects the lives and property of the public. Currently, the DLT has instructed drivers to regularly check that the truck bed is fully lowered and to disengage the lifting mechanism when driving.
If an accident occurs due to a raised truck bed while driving, the transport operator’s licensee may be found in violation under Section 36 in conjunction with Section 131 of the Land Transport Act B.E. 2522 (1979), carrying a fine of up to 50,000 baht. Meanwhile, the driver may be liable under Section 111 in conjunction with Section 161 with a fine up to 5,000 baht.
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