Friday 5 May 2023

Discounts for Traffic Summons?

It has become something of a custom for the government to offer discounts for traffic summons each year. Such a move is counterintuitive and will encourage motorists to disregard traffic laws.

The “culture” of offering discounts for summons dilutes the impact of law enforcement as a whole. If the government considers summonses as a means of earning revenue rather than penalties for those who break traffic laws, then it is contrary to the actual purpose of issuing summons. The whole purpose is to deter offenders from breaking the law in the future. What’s the point of a demerit system? There are no such thing as discounts for traffic summons in developed countries.


https://www.businesstoday.com.my


It was reported in mid-April that according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) a total of 146,261 demerit points was imposed on motorists from January 2022 to April 5. A total of 412 drivers were also suspended for the first time, 75 were suspended for a second time, while seven were given their third suspensions. 

On April 18, Prime Minister announced a one-month special discount for traffic summonses issued by the police with a flat rate of RM50 for offences that took place any time before 2023. In March, the police offered a 60% discount on selected traffic summons from March 20 until the month’s end in conjunction with the Police Day celebration. Similarly, JPJ had also offered 80% discounts on summonses for two weeks in Dec 2021. 

Summonses cannot be treated like sales discounts for festive occasions. If that were the case our ex-PM deserves some discount on his jail term and so do other jailbirds, or Mat Rempits or motorcyclists who beat the red light. Where will this stop Mr PM?

Reference:
Discounts for traffic summons dilutes impact of law enforcement, says experts, Bernie Yeo, Focus Malaysia, 26 April 2023

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