Police mull increasing traffic fines

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are considering to increase the traffic fines in view of the rising number of accident cases, including fatal accidents in the country.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the increase may deter drivers from flouting the traffic laws, especially exceeding the speed limits stipulated on federal roads and highways.
"It is also to prevent reckless and inconsiderate driving along highways, especially during festive seasons where fatal accidents are high which is seen during the 'Op Selamat 8/2016', held in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration," he added.
"It looks like the road users aren't even daunted by the compound rate that we have today ... RM300 is nothing for them.
"We might increase the compound but the rate needs to be discussed later," he told reporters after receiving four Perodua Axia cars on behalf of the police force from Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here today.
Khalid added police have to increase the compound since the recent operation did not bring about any positive improvements.
On Jan 29, a special traffic police strike force was initiated and deployed in Muar to pounce on traffic offenders for the Chinese New Year season.
Khalid said last year’s Chinese New Year Ops Selamat saw a 18.8% increase in traffic accidents with 17,632 cases recorded compared to 14,836 cases the year before.
He said fatal accidents also showed a 22.4% increase with 186 cases compared to 152 in 2014.
“Anyone who breaks the law will face the maximum compound. It’s high time we become strict with motorists. No more advocacy on the road from us,” he said, adding that Ops Selamat would end on Feb 16.
On a separate matter, the top cop noted that blogger Papagomo, whose real name is Wan Mohd Azri Wan Deris, will have to cooperate with police while they search for the victim, a Pakistani worker who was allegedly assaulted to record his statement.
In the four-minute clip, Papagomo was seen slapping, punching and kicking a Pakistani worker in an undisclosed location.
Earlier at the event, Khalid said the cars would be distributed to Brickfields, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Amanita and Kuala Lumpur police district headquarters for police patrolling to curb crime.