The news of an immigration truck beating the traffic lights in Kuala Lumpur and causing several deaths has gone viral.
The vehicle involved was an emergency vehicle. But the incident should still be seen as an eye-opener. It is a clarion call for the authorities to take tougher action on traffic offences, including running red lights.
Today, motorists crashing through red lights is a common sight in cities and small towns alike. Respecting the lights is no longer seen as mandatory. To many, it has become just a suggestion.
Even the ‘summons’ (penalty notices) issued for various traffic offences do not seem to have had any long-lasting impact on reducing road accidents or offences.
It is time the authorities put their thinking caps on to find effective ways to stop this growing trend. Too many motorists in Malaysia brazenly crash through red lights, in addition to committing other offences such as speeding.
It could be argued that the enforcement of our traffic laws is weak. Has the enforcement of our traffic laws been half-hearted?
How can we hope to build a more lasting system when enforcement against traffic offenders remains sporadic?
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Maybank a/c 507246118995 or CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
We need to address this before more lives are lost. It will take strong political will from the government to deliver long-lasting results.
Other countries have done it successfully. We do not have to reinvent the wheel – let’s learn from them and make our roads safer too.
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Not just red lights. Stop signs. Not checking mirrors, but checking your phone.
Will the government take enforcement seriously one of these days?