RTD: Driving licences can be suspended if motorists ignore zebra crossing rules

 

Motorists who disregard traffic signals and pedestrian crossings can face penalties affecting their driving licences, including suspensions. - Screengrab via social media

JOHOR BARU: Motorists who disregard traffic signals and pedestrian crossings can face penalties affecting their driving licences, including suspensions.

Following two recent viral incidents involving school zones and zebra crossings, state RTD director Zulkarnain Yasin said the department has the power to call up offenders to have their statements recorded under Section 114 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

"This provision allows enforcement officers to require motorists to provide information or explanations during investigations. If found guilty, summonses will be issued," he told the New Straits Times.

He said offenders can be issued compounds of up to RM300, and if taken to court, may face fines of up to RM2,000.

"I would like to advise all road users, whether motorcyclists or motorists, to strictly obey all traffic signals that have been set," he said.

Zulkarnain stressed that failure to comply with traffic lights is a serious offence as it contributes to demerit points under the Kejara system.

Kejara is a demerit points system that records traffic offences and allows authorities to suspend or revoke driving licences.

Zulkarnain warned that licence holders who accumulate 20 or more demerit points risk suspension or revocation of their driving licences if offences persist.

One of the viral incidents involved a primary school student who narrowly avoided injury after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a zebra crossing.

The NST learnt the incident occurred at a primary school in Taman Universiti on March 31.

A "lollipop man" was stationed to assist pupils while two boys were seen at the zebra crossing. However, a vehicle failed to stop, resulting in the boy being hit.

The pupil was not injured, and no police report was lodged.

In another recent viral incident, also involving students at a zebra crossing, a motorist was seen speeding while approaching the crossing, raising further public concern.

There were no injuries reported. At press time a police report was yet to be lodged.

A school security guard told the NST that parents picking up the children from school often parked by the roadsides which created blind spots that could endanger pedestrians.

However, in Malaysia, under the Road Transport Act and related rules, particularly the Road Traffic Rules 1959 and provisions under the Traffic Signs Regulations, motorists are required to give way to pedestrians at zebra crossings and exercise due care in pedestrian zones.

They are legally required to slow down, stop, and yield to pedestrians already crossing or waiting to cross. - NST