Bangkok  - Bangkok drivers who love to run red lights are now being captured by new traffic cameras, a report said Friday.

The almost 30,000 motorists who have been snapped jumping lights during the first week of the cameras' operation can expect postal fines of 500 baht (14.31 dollars), said deputy city police chief police Major-General Pharnu Kerdlarpphon.

In a city where frustrated drivers frequently run red lights rather than suffer yet another lengthy wait, people may take time to alter their behaviour, he said.

Every offender will have points knocked off his or her driver's licence, with repeat offenders temporarily losing their licence.

Some drivers already seem to be hitting the brakes rather than risk being snapped running a red light, according to the police. "I think that the number of road accidents will go down as a result," Pharnu told the Nation newspaper.

Cameras snap details of a car's speed and location, sending the information automatically to the Central Control Centre's computer system along with the time and date.

Police are ready to stamp down hard on any motorists who alter their number plates rather than give up their light-jumping habits. (dpa)