Time to combat the disruptive trend of non -licensed drivers

By Shahrim Tamrin

The question of non -licensed drivers and motorcyclists on Malaysian roads is nothing new and was a long outstanding trend that really has a multifaceted security concerns.

The death of three people caused by the traffic lights in Senawang is not only an enormous loss of the country, but has also shown that the presence of non -licensed drivers on the street is a common cause.

The question of non -licensed drivers or motorcyclists is nothing new if we take a look at the statistics of street accidents in the last decade, as well as the number of traffic prevention issued by the road traffic department (JPJ) and the police.

We have to divide it into two segments of this type of traffic offenders. The first segment is the minor not licensed driver or motorcyclist or in other words that are under the minimum age of the license requirement of 16 years for motorcycle and 17 years for private vehicles.

Based on the statistics of the department for traffic investigations and enforcement of Bukit Aman, a total of 87 deaths are recorded for those under six to ten years, and 2,795 deaths for those aged 11 and 15 years from 2009 to 2021 due to motorcycling.

The second segment is the one who are over 17 years old and refuse to carry out driving tests, including adults and seniors who have been working on vehicles for many years, and this is so often nationwide for older people and adults in the working class, especially in small cities and rural areas. There were also similar cases in the commercial vehicle industry such as tour and express bus as well as truck drivers.

If we continue to investigate the insurance industry, it is also clear that in the past 18 months a falls of accidents, deaths and assault claims with non -licensed motorcyclists and drivers in Malaysia have occurred for the past 18 months.

On the basis of the police records over the years, street accidents and deaths in which non -licensed motorcyclists were involved were more than other types of vehicles.

Why does that happen?

Apart from irresponsible vehicle owners who allow non -licensed drivers/motorcyclists to take their vehicles for a spin, this is mainly due to poor enforcement by law enforcement authorities and the weak guideline of the transport ministry (mot).

In Malaysia it is clear that you don't need a driving/driving license to buy a car or motorcycle.

In other words, a non -licensed person can drive or drive their own car frame or their own motorcycle as long as they are not caught by law enforcement officers. Or worse, parents without driving licenses can buy a motorcycle or a motorcycle and give their minor children to drive or drive. This cycle has continued in the country for generations.

How can I address that?

First, the country needs political will, especially the Minister of Transport, to prevent this worrying trend. We need a guideline that prevents them from buying a vehicle without driving licenses.

Second, vehicle owners must also be punished. For example, parents who allow their minor children to drive their car without a driver's license should be charged according to the Children's Act.

A stiffer law should also be imposed against parents or vehicle owners. You have to see the prison sentence or at least 10,000 RM fines, although they are calculated according to the Children's Act or the relevant street rules.

Third, we seriously need a stiffer law. Together with JPJ, the current law for a minimum of 1,000 RM compound should change for those who were driving without a valid driver's license.

Just like the criminal offense to abuse the emergency lane and use a mobile phone while driving, non -licensed drivers must appear in front of the judge.

At least one week behind bars or 10,000 RM money losses would send a message that the government is serious to save life on the street. In any case, the motorcycle or the motorcycle must be confiscated until the date of the court hearing.

The police and the JPJ should no longer be a connection between 300 RM and discount.

The nation is urgently a stiff law against ruthless driving and extremely important. The Mot and JPJ rejuvenate the sleepy Kejara Demerite system, which was ineffective when containing ruthless drivers and faulty traffic offenders.

The present law

According to Section 26 of the 1987 Road Traffic Act (RTA), every driver or driver who has driven without a valid driver's license is found to be guilty with a fine of 1,000 RM or a year in prison.

Traffic offenders can also be proven in accordance with section 90 of the RTA due to driving without insurance protection. In this case, the perpetrator with a fine of 2,000 RM or three years is in prison or both with a fine.

In the event of a conviction, the suspect can be detained with a fine of at least less than 300 RM and no more than 2,000 RM or over three months or both.

In accordance with Section 39 (1) of the RTA, lectures can also be issued for driving without a driver's license and in the event of convicted, a fine of no more than 2,000 RM and no more than six months or both.

Deposory loads can also be issued to the vehicle owners in accordance with Section 39 (5) of the RTA to enable a minor (under 16 years) to drive the vehicle. But I doubt that this has been strictly enforced by the authorities in the past 20 years.

The increasing cases in which non -licensed drivers and motorcyclists have recently been involved in the frail enforcement, and it is clear that the existing laws are not sufficient to contain this disturbing trend.

Many had received a mere RM300 connection and not even on the black list in the database of the perpetrators.

The Kejara Demerit system must be revitalized to increase fear into society. Vehicles that are driven by non -licensed persons who are involved in a crash or are stopped by law enforcement authorities on the side of the road must be confiscated until the judgment of a court hearing.

All cases of non -licensed drivers/motorcyclists have to be brought to court. From this point on, the authorities should not offer any indicator with connections.

The author is a traffic safety and a sustainable transport activist

Related