Lower traffic fines?? YAU MOU GAU....CHOR!!

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KUALA LUMPUR: Police have slashed traffic fines by as much as RM200 to encourage offenders to pay their summonses.

Another effect of this reduction will be less corruption as offenders will have fewer reasons to offer bribes to traffic cops.

The new rates came into effect yesterday.

With the exception of non-compoundable offences such as fatal accidents, drink driving, underage driving, reckless driving, driving without insurance and illegal racing, the fines for most offences have been reduced.

The biggest cut went to fines for motorcyclists involved in road accidents. Having to pay RM300 previously, they now have to shell out only RM100.

The fine for cars, taxis, vans and 4WD vehicles involved in road accidents is now RM150, and for lorries and buses RM200.

A speeding ticket will now cost the driver RM90 for lorries and buses; RM70 for cars, vans, taxis and 4WD vehicles; and RM50 for motorcycles. Previously the fine was RM150.

Drivers and front-seat passengers who don’t fasten their seatbelts face a fine of RM50. Previously it was RM150 for taxis, RM80 for vans and, RM70 for cars and 4WD vehicles.

As for those who talk on their mobile phones while driving (without a hands-free set), the fine is now RM90 for lorry and bus drivers (previously RM200), RM70 for drivers of cars, taxis, vans and 4WD vehicles (RM100), and RM50 for motorcyclists (RM70).

Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Mustafa Abdullah, who announced the new rates at a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday, was asked whether the cheaper fines would backfire and result in more people flouting traffic rules.

“It is up to the individual to behave responsibly and not abuse the system. The police have good intentions in reducing the fines,” he said.

Commissioner Mustafa said the police had taken into account the rising cost of living due to escalating oil prices.

“With the lower rates, we hope that offenders would be able to settle their summonses.

“At the same time, we want the people to stop offering bribes to traffic policemen,” he said, adding that the rationale was, if the fine were not high, the offender would be less inclined to bribe his way out of a ticket.

Now that the police have “softened” the fines, Comm Mustafa warned, the police would come down hard on defaulters.

Warrants of arrest would be issued against offenders who failed to settle their summonses within two months. At the same time, the fines would

be doubled or increased to the maximum RM300. An offender taken

to court would be liable for a jail term.

“We are also working with the JPJ on blacklisting offenders. They will not be able to renew their road tax without settling their fines,” he said.

Comm Mustafa said the new rates were only applicable to tickets issued from yesterday, while those with outstanding summonses had to pay the old rates; but added that they could appeal for a reduction.

He said the last review of fines was two years ago, when fines were increased.

“We found that even when fines were increased, it was no deterrent to traffic offenders,” he said.

The police will review the situation in six months’ time to verify the effectiveness of this “soft approach.”

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