Expert: Discount for traffic summons dilutes impact of law enforcement

THE discount on traffic summons that would be offered at the “Setahun Bersama Kerajaan Malaysia Madani” (“One Year with the Madani Government”) event this week could create a negative perception of the programme, said Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s road safety research centre.

The road safety expert said in general, offering such discounts makes drivers disregard traffic laws and dilutes the impact of law enforcement.

“There is also the perception that the authorities want to make money (from the event). This is not right,” he was reported as saying by FMT.

According to Law, the 50% discounts could further be regarded as an attempt to attract a large crowd to the event happening at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium from Dec 8-10.

He further raised the question if the discounts, which were implemented at several government programmes in the past, had helped educate drivers about road safety.

“If it can be proven that giving discounts can still reduce accidents, they can continue. But if not, this should stop,” he said.

According to a Bernama report, over 200,000 visitors are expected to flock to the stadium throughout the three-day programme which aims at delivering and disseminating information on government policies.

It was previously reported that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will offer a 50% rebate for selected compound traffic summons in conjunction with the programme.

Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director, Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said the offer does not include traffic offences for 2023 that involve accidents, court cases with arrest warrant status or still in trial, and offences that are not compoundable.

“The compound fines can only be paid at the checking and payment counters at the grounds of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium from 9am to 4pm on Dec 8, and from 9am to 6pm on Dec 9 and 10,” he said in a statement.

He urged the public to check if they have any summons at the PDRM portal or MyBayar app before going to the payment counter to avoid congestion and speed up the payment process. – Dec 5, 2023

 

Main pic credit: NST

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