Motorists find peddlers on roads a menace

 

IPOH: Peddlers who sell things on the roads or near traffic light junctions are endangering themselves and also motorists, say worried motorists.

Bank officer Michael Chang, 40, said peddling on the road was a hazardous act.

“When a driver buys from them and the traffic light turns green, it also causes a delay in the traffic flow.

“Regardless of whether they are doing so to earn a living or for other reasons, they are disturbing motorists.

“I think they should just follow the standard convention of setting up stalls along the side of the road, ” he added.

Taiping police fined four youths aged between 18 and 22 from RM150 to RM2,000 for touting and selling pickled fruit at two traffic light junctions on Wednesday.

Under Rule 10A(1) LN 166/59 of the Road Traffic Rules, it is an offence to sell things to motorists on the road or at an intersection.

These peddlers have been sighted not only in Taiping or Ipoh, but also throughout the country.

They can be seen wearing a placard around their necks to promote their offerings to motorists waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Lawyer V. Sreedaran Nair believed most of the peddlers were merely freelancers who only wanted to earn some money.

“Everyone is going through bad times but what they are doing is undoubtedly dangerous.

“If something were to happen to them, I doubt they are covered by insurance, the Employment Act or the Social Security Organisation, ” he said, adding that such methods of peddling were also found in Indonesia and Thailand.

“They do look pitiful sometimes, walking under the hot sun while trying to earn some money.

“There should be platforms for them to sell their items. I just hope they are not being exploited.” - Star