No using phone while driving, even to channel info to RTD

The photo or video should be taken by the passenger and not by the driver as this can be dangerous, says Kedah RTD director.

ALOR SETAR: The Road Transport Department will act against drivers who take photos or videos using a mobile phone while driving, even if it is for the purpose of channelling information to the department.

Kedah RTD director Isma Suhaimi Sharif said this was because using a mobile phone while driving was an offence stipulated under Section 17A of the Road Transport Act, and the offenders could be fined RM300.

“Using the mobile phone while driving is also among the seven main offences which can result in court action and with no offer of compound penalty.

“We definitely encourage the public to channel information through various applications, but the photo or video should be taken by the passenger and not by the driver as this can be dangerous,” he said after launching the state-level Chinese New Year 2017 Strategic Op here last night.

A total of 560 vehicles were checked during the operation, with 75 summons notices issued for various offences such as driving without a licence or expired road tax.

Sixty-five officers and other personnel from RTD, Department of Environment, National Anti-Drugs Agency, Royal Malaysian Police and Road Safety Department were involved in the operation.

The Chinese New Year 2017 Strategic Op is conducted simultaneously nationwide from Jan 21 to Feb 5, focusing on seven main offences.

The seven major traffic offences are beating the traffic lights, overtaking on double lines, driving in the emergency lane, cutting queues, using mobile phones while driving, not using seat belts and not using helmets. -FMT