KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, emphasizes the need for law enforcement officials to take strong action against traffic offenders who endanger innocent lives. He asserts that the reckless actions of these offenders not only put their own lives in danger but also pose a constant risk to other road users on Malaysia’s roads and highways. In an interview on Friday (July 14), Lee stated, “While law enforcers have some discretion when dealing with those who put their own lives at risk, they must be particularly strict with those who jeopardize the lives of others.”
According to Lee, when traffic offenders are not punished, it fosters a culture of non-compliance, leading to more violations and a higher likelihood of accidents. Additionally, he points out that if other drivers witness offenders getting away without consequences, they may feel justified in breaking the rules as well. Lee commends Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain and his team for their recent “Respect Traffic Laws” operation, which has issued a significant number of summonses within a short span of time.
The “Respect Traffic Laws” operation, launched on July 3, has already resulted in the issuance of 26,506 summonses in just six days. Lee highlights that this translates to more than 4,000 offences per day and poses a threat to numerous individuals on a daily basis. The offences committed include driving on pedestrian pathways, driving without a license, running red lights, stopping in yellow boxes, obstructing traffic, and indiscriminate parking.
Aside from endangering lives, Lee points out that traffic offenders can also contribute to road congestion. For example, illegal parking or traffic blockages caused by offenders disrupt the smooth flow of vehicles, resulting in traffic jams. These inconveniences can lead to frustration and increase the likelihood of aggressive or dangerous driving.
Moreover, Lee highlights the economic costs associated with accidents caused by traffic offenders, including medical expenses, property damage, and legal proceedings. He also acknowledges the impact on productivity and additional expenses for transportation companies. In the recent law enforcement exercise, 800 officers and men were involved.
Lee suggests that the number of police personnel required for such operations could be reduced if Kuala Lumpur had more CCTV cameras. Currently, out of over 1,000 CCTV cameras in public areas, only 300 are directly linked to the police, with the rest being monitored by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Lee points to China as an example, where 36 million CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the country and its territories under jurisdiction. He proposes the installation of more cameras at strategic junctions linked to the police to reduce reliance on human resources and allow for better utilization elsewhere.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
