Motorists in Kuala Lumpur pay fines of up to RM10 million every year for traffic offences.

According to Kuala Lumpur police, 22,054 traffic summonses were issued between January and September last year and 33,836 issued in 2010, totalling RM10.15 million.

City Traffic Police chief, ACP Rusli Mohd Noor said 35,185 traffic summonses were issued to motorists between January and September 2011 for beating traffic lights.

Fines incurred last year amounted to RM10.55 million.

Under the Road Transport Act 1987, if road users beat traffic signals, they are liable to a fine of RM300.

Rusli said the summonses were issued based on camera recordings at traffic light junctions. Some were issued by traffic policemen stationed at the city’s streets.

Paying fines
    
The rather ‘shocking and astronomical’ numbers of traffic summonses were issued to errant motorists in the city.

What about motorists nationwide?

The figures show that errant motorists are not worried about their safety; they are only worried about reaching their respective destinations on time.

Errant motorists are not affected by the fines. Hence, traffic rules are ineffective in reducing the number of traffic offences in the country.

According to many newspapers, tragic accidents also have no impact on the attitude of reckless motorists.

“It depends on the attitude of motorists when they are driving on the roads. They are not worried about their safety and others’ safety.

“They should learn to respect other road users, too,” Rusli told Bernama.
    
Traffic lights could save lives

 “Many motorists do not follow traffic rules. If motorists follow traffic rules, the roads will be safer for other road users, and it will ease traffic congestion,” he said.

He said motorists who beat traffic signals endanger not only their own lives but also of other road users.  

According to Rusli, people should respect the yellow traffic lights.

“Many people do not understand. If the traffic light turns yellow, road users should slow down and bring their vehicles to a stop,” he said.

There have been suggestions to raise the fines for thosewho do not follow traffic rules.  However, Rusli believes that by increasing fines, the lower-income groups will get affected.

“Low-income groups may stop breaking traffic rules but rich people will continue to break traffic rules and pay the fines,” said Rusli.

Hence, errant motorists should change their attitude. By breaking traffic laws, motorists not only put their lives at risk, but they put the lives of other road users at risk, too.

- Bernama