I read in a local paper yesterday about the move in decreasing the fines for traffic summons in view of the high fuel price.....What has this 2 gotta do with each other, I wonder....and also, it was mentioned that the reduction is to encourage motorists from settling their fines promptly and to stop bribery!!! Hello????? did anyone give consideration to the negative impact of this move???
Anyway, the news below appeared in today's Star:
KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry, tasked with reducing road accidents and improving road safety, was not consulted over the reduction of traffic fines.
"It came as a surprise to me. There should have been some consultation. The police is a very important partner in the ministry's effort in reducing road accidents." – Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong ChoyMinister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who expressed surprise over the move by the police, said the reduction of fines could send a wrong message to road users, especially habitual offenders.
“It came as a surprise to me. I was never consulted by the police on the matter. I only knew about it through the media,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
Chan said he would ask for an explanation and a briefing from the police to find out more about the matter.
"We can reduce them when or how we want to. We do not have to consult the Transport Ministry on this. We have the power to do so." – Internal Security and Public Order Director Commissioner Datuk Mustafa AbdullahHe said he would also raise the matter at the next Cabinet meeting and discuss it with the Prime Minister.
Chan had directed Road Safety Department director-general Suret Singh to find out if the reduction of fines would affect the ministry’s road safety campaign.
“I really want to know the reasons behind this major decision. There should have been some consultation,” he said.
“The police are a very important partner in the ministry’s effort in reducing road accidents.”
The Road Safety Department, which comes under the ministry, was set up in 2004 to improve road safety.
On Monday, the police announced that traffic fines have been reduced by as much as RM200 to encourage offenders to settle their fines as well as discourage motorists from offering bribes.
Chan said the move could lead hardcore traffic offenders to think that there would be further relaxation of rules.
He said traffic fines were meant to deter motorists from breaking rules and not to generate income for the Government.
“We do not want your money. Keep your money. We only want you to behave and drive safely. We do not want a single sen from you,” he said.
"It came as a surprise to me. There should have been some consultation. The police is a very important partner in the ministry's effort in reducing road accidents." – Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong ChoyMinister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who expressed surprise over the move by the police, said the reduction of fines could send a wrong message to road users, especially habitual offenders.
“It came as a surprise to me. I was never consulted by the police on the matter. I only knew about it through the media,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.
Chan said he would ask for an explanation and a briefing from the police to find out more about the matter.
"We can reduce them when or how we want to. We do not have to consult the Transport Ministry on this. We have the power to do so." – Internal Security and Public Order Director Commissioner Datuk Mustafa AbdullahHe said he would also raise the matter at the next Cabinet meeting and discuss it with the Prime Minister.
Chan had directed Road Safety Department director-general Suret Singh to find out if the reduction of fines would affect the ministry’s road safety campaign.
“I really want to know the reasons behind this major decision. There should have been some consultation,” he said.
“The police are a very important partner in the ministry’s effort in reducing road accidents.”
The Road Safety Department, which comes under the ministry, was set up in 2004 to improve road safety.
On Monday, the police announced that traffic fines have been reduced by as much as RM200 to encourage offenders to settle their fines as well as discourage motorists from offering bribes.
Chan said the move could lead hardcore traffic offenders to think that there would be further relaxation of rules.
He said traffic fines were meant to deter motorists from breaking rules and not to generate income for the Government.
“We do not want your money. Keep your money. We only want you to behave and drive safely. We do not want a single sen from you,” he said.
2 comments:
Hmm...Not to forget also the purpose of having all these laws and fines is just to keep the road users safe.
Of course it does not mean that there would be no accident on road, but if we all be careful, accident could be reduced.
However, instead of road safety, it attracts more concern on bribe cases nowadays.
Junoesque
I predicted more traffic offences now with the decrease in the summons....Law breakers will always be law breakers!!
Redsponge
Bribery cases have been rampant lately. Whoever made this rule only look at one side of the apple...Instead of reducing traffic bribe, the police did not realise that the traffic offences will be increased in view of the relaxed fines. No wonder the transport minister is fuming mad!!
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