Put enforcement in the driver's seat

 

YOURSAY | “No use increasing punishment when strict enforcement lacking.”

COMMENT | Heavier penalties demand strict enforcement

Mario T: Laws are useless if enforcement is weak or nonexistent and without harsh punishments.

Vehicles kill just like weapons, and if enforcement is compromised, serious injuries and deaths will continue to occur.

Roads are built for our convenience of movement, and if road users ignore safety, they are endangering their own lives and those of others.

There are vehicles without valid road tax and insurance, and drivers with expired licences or none at all.

We hear about fatal accidents with loss of lives daily.

No use increasing the summons and its punishment when strict enforcement is lacking.

Salvage Malaysia: This government has to stop burdening the rakyat unnecessarily. Many normal folks will not be able to pay these increases. Then what? End up in jail?

I’ve seen so many ministers’ cars and their convoys speeding along NSE and NKVE. Were they fined? Of course not, because they have outriders who speed along with them.

Has the Transport Ministry issued any update on the percentage of heavy vehicles installed with speed limiters? I don’t think so.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke’s management is weak. No point coming out yelling, scolding and cancelling permits when accidents happen.

Then, after that, business as usual once the issue dies down. The environment under this Madani is feeling all choked up and suffocating from being so regimented. Stop it.

H2O: Reformation on the road?

This has been on for decades; maybe this time, Loke is seriously trying hard to do his job for the coming general election.

It will only work with authorities are strict and the rules are fully implemented.

At the end, it's still a long queue for the discounted summons, which too many will ignore and discard that piece of paper, truly challenging the effectiveness of our Transport Ministry and local culture. What can you do?

Chefoo: They should add the clause on payment. Currently, the longer you defer the payment, the higher your discount rate. What a shame!

Some people don’t pay up, and suddenly, the police and Road Transport Department come up with a huge discount.

Is this fair to those who settle the fines early? Hope the authorities realise this and come up with an appropriate structure of payment.

Yes, another thing is the enforcement.

We have a dedicated motor lane, but motorbikes are flying left and right on the federal highway. Can the police have constant and consistent enforcement?

Warganegara prihatin: Road safety issues should be addressed based on actual conditions on the ground and observing yourselves.

Many roads lack proper signage, especially at lane splits and junctions. Roads beneath highway viaducts are often poorly lit with no street lights.

Motorcyclists are frequently seen running red lights at traffic light junctions, riding against traffic, and entering "No Entry" roads, putting all road users at risk.

Along Kesas and the federal highway, dedicated motorcycle lanes exist but are often ignored, with riders speeding and weaving between vehicles.

Before blaming motorists alone for traffic-light offences, authorities should conduct on-site observations to identify the actual source of road rule violations.

Be more proactive; you will collect more for your coffers on the summonses imposed on those beating the traffic light at the junction and ignoring the motorcycle lanes.

Thesaint: Enforcement! Enforcement! Enforcement! Tolak rasuah (reject corruption).

MACC should introduce mystery staff within enforcement agencies. I am surprised that the transport minister is not insisting on seat belt usage for back seat passengers.

Even e-hailing drivers don’t insist, which many of my foreign friends find odd.

It reflects badly on the government. Can the transport minister also legislate switching on headlights for all heavy vehicles and other vehicles on rainy days?

KKKSSS: We have a very large number of public servants. We have the most laws on smoking, vaping, illegal parking and so on.

Walk into any coffee shop, and chances are you’ll see people smoking sitting right below the large “no-smoking” sign.

I once saw an enforcement officer walk into an eatery and issue compounds to two smokers. Half an hour later, more smokers gather at the same shop.

The other issue is with the limited parking lots, especially in busy areas.

The mushrooming car wash at every corner occupied the two or three parking lots in front of their shops, and sometimes booked one or two more adjacent lots with a used tyre.

The same applies to car repair workshops along the shop lots.

That is not only inconvenient to the public but also results in revenue loss to the town council in terms of parking fees.

So do something, please.

Thana55: I do wonder what all the traffic police officers do after their morning duties. We have enough headcount in the traffic police departments to do effective enforcement.

Can someone clarify what they are busy with after morning duties, which usually end by 9am?

HJ Angus: No point raising fines with zero or non-existent rewards.

Just observe the numerous motorcyclists who brazenly ride through the traffic lights every day near you.

The traffic police chief should be ordered to spend one day per week enforcing this rule until the scourge is brought under control. - Mkini