Kejara, the 3Es and road safety

 

The number of road accidents and the high rate of death on our roads are two major issues in the country today.

I was therefore very happy indeed when I learnt that the government, via the ministry of transport and the ministry of works, have decided to team up and launch what is referred to as ‘Op Bersepadu’, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year holidays.

Op Bersepadu, from Jan 18 to 28, is a major campaign for motorists to be made aware about safe driving and road safety. They are not supposed to flout traffic rules and regulations any more.

The starting point is when they travel during this CNY holiday period. Hopefully, this will be a starting point for them all to drive safely and courteously, too.

Traffic is expected to be heavy during this holiday week and throughout the country’s roads, especially along the expressways.

Whilst the prime minister has waived toll charges for two days during this holiday period, another commendable effort by the new unity government, the expected heavy traffic flow could cause or lead to many road accidents.

If motorists take a lackadaisical attitude towards safety and do not pay attention to safe driving habits and behaviour, then they could be in for big trouble.

To be safe means they have to pay serious attention to road traffic laws and regulations.

Seven core offences

I very much welcome what has been said by transport minister, Loke Siew Fook at the launch of Op Bersepadu at the Dengkil rest area, a few days ago.

He singled out seven offences which will not be issued with any summons but for which offenders will be hauled straight to court instead.

The offences listed are:

• queue-jumping
• overtaking on double lines
• beating traffic lights
• speeding
• using handphones while driving
• not wearing seatbelts or helmets, and
• driving in emergency lanes.

These are very simple rules and probably due to its simplicity, many motorists take them lightly or took them for granted in the past. It could also be that the lack of enforcement has led to this rampant abuse of these traffic rules and regulations.

Sad to note that many motorists have developed these bad habits in their daily driving behaviour.

Given that the number of deaths from road accidents is also very high, the onus to reduce the numbers lies in the hands of all motorists.

The government could mount a campaign, one after another, but the ones who are directly affected by our poor driving habits and behaviour, are our fellow road users (and pedestrians).

Kejara

Actually, the road traffic rules and regulations are very clear.

We also have a demerit point system called ‘Kejara’ which now has 20 scheduled offences. The system is good and similar to those practised in the UK, Europe or Japan.

But for some reason, possibly due to the many changes in government over the last five years, this Kejara system has not been fully enforced.

Perhaps, now is the best opportunity for the authorities to reconsider enforcing them again and be very serious about it.

I, therefore, would like to encourage and support the minister in taking a step further, by adding the balance of the 13 offences, to the seven that he has listed.

In accordance with the provisions as contained in Kejara schedules, these offences could also be taken straight to court or offenders can also be issued with a ticket (or summons).

Such a summons could be settled via a fine but ‘Kejara’ demerit points will still apply and will still be recorded.

The 3E approach

Reactivating the existing laws under Kejara and making it mandatory for offenders to be taken to court will definitely be a step in the right direction.

Our efforts to reduce road accidents is not sufficient by focusing only on the first two E’s; education and engineering improvement (read as better road design, layout and safety features).

It has to be accompanied by the third E; enforcement. This enforcement requirement could no longer work with a summon or a fine.

A heavier penalty, to be enforced via the ‘Kejara’ demerit point system, must be meted out to regular or repeat offenders. Having a driving licence suspended or cancelled would be a potent threat to many motorists.

‘Kejara’ is leading to this eventuality. This is why adhering to the existing traffic rules and regulations, become so important in our fight to save lives on our roads.

Drive Safely & Happy Chinese Year to all. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.