We need the country’s leadership to decide once and for all how we should deal with this growing problem of reckless motorists, writes JD Lovrenciear.
The New Year started with a tremendous effort by the police. In one traffic operation alone in Penang, police booked some 399 motorists – the infamous Mat Rempits – for various traffic offences.
While we must applaud the hard work and sacrifices of our police on the eve of the New Year, the various traffic operations held throughout 2019 raise serious concern that needs the attention of the country’s leadership.
As the number of registered motor vehicles keeps swelling each year, more motorists are being booked for glaring offences. Despite road blocks and subsequent traffic fines issued by the police, motorists seem to be indifferent.
The incidence of road accidents, road bullying, inconsiderate dangerous driving attitudes, poor vehicle maintenance and illegal racing refuse to decline significantly. Innocent victims suffer as reckless, inexperienced and law-breaking motorists cause misery to other road users and commuters, including innocent children. It looks like motorists do not care for others and the laws of this country anymore.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Meanwhile, crime watch responsibilities are taking a backseat as understaffed, overworked police have to handle traffic duties now and then.
We need the country’s leadership to decide once and for all how we should deal with this growing problem of recalcitrant, uncaring and non-compliant motorists.
Let us hope that even though we are unable to achieve the Vision 2020 goals, at least we should see the government taking quick action to ensure road safety and shape motoring attitudes in the next 12 months.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Culture of PERIHATIN & EDUCATIVE policies have resulted in loss of millions RM of taxpayers’ and other funds may have been wasted on the various progrgammes and projects [which may have enriched some of those involved].
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF STRICT ENFORCEMENT & MAXIMUM PENALTIES ARE ANNOUNCED BUT THEN SOON FOLLOWED BY DISCOUNTS REWARDS TO THE TRAFFIC OFFENDERS AND THEN WHEN THE UNPAID COMPOUND ARREARS REACH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS RM AND LONG OUTSTANDING – THEY ARE WRITTEN OFF!!!
the annual carnage of about 7,000 deaths continue and accidents increase. Only solution: MAXIMUM PENALTIES ON OFFENDERS. But will LEADERSHIP/ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOLLOW as DISCOUNTS/WRITE OFFS may be good for their interest?