A job for camera squads

IREFER to “Make errant motorists pay” ( The Star, March 16) and wish to commend the writer for his astute observations. Our leaders ought to realise that transforming our nation remains a distant dream as long as violation of traffic rules and regulations continues unabated, as can be seen almost anywhere anytime.

Lack of courtesy in using public roads and walkways coupled with lackadaisical enforcement have made our society crass, to the extent that Malaysians are now nonchalant about the scourge.

Sadly, many of those who consider themselves morally upright and proud of their Asian values cannot see the lack of civility in themselves and those around them.

Among the many “broken windows” that need to be fixed, perhaps none is more urgent than what is happening on our roads and walkways. It is apparent to everyone, especially foreign visitors.

And this perennial problem can be fixed by adopting a more intelligent approach to enforcement, and – believe it or not – without the Government incurring an extra sen.

Private companies can be appointed to assist in surveillance without eroding the power of the various enforcement agencies to summon and prosecute.

Ex-servicemen can be recruited and trained to be camera crews and record such traffic violations as jumping red lights or clogging yellow boxes, driving on bus and emergency lanes, illegal parking, reckless driving and speeding.

The camera crews must wear bright uniforms and be highly visible to deter traffic violations. They should not hide behind pillars or bushes.

Static cameras, if noticed, are often treated as non-functioning. They are not an effective deterrence and merely record the offence after the act. Besides, it will cost millions of ringgit to install and maintain a sufficient number.

The camera crews are bound to be efficient as they are to be paid incentives based on the evidence submitted.

The coffers of the enforcement agencies would swell from the higher collection of fines, and their systems can be upgraded to cope with the increase in summonses.

Those caught on camera are to be notified by post and the evidence can be viewed online by keying in the notification and vehicle registration numbers.

Motorists should be let off the hook for the first offence so as to forewarn the public that they can no longer get away with impunity.

Our roads would be safer as the presence of many camera crews would deter street crimes such as snatch thefts.

Our environment would be cleaner as these camera crews can also record vehicles emitting excessive smoke or illegal dumping.

It would be unwise to open the paid surveillance scheme to all, as ordinary citizens can be assaulted for indiscreetly pointing their camera at the offenders.

I have been advocating the appointment of private companies to assist in the surveillance for our enforcement agencies since 2003 but there has been no response.

Lack of courtesy on our roads has permeated into the Malaysian psyche. The fifth tenet of our national philosophy “Courtesy and Morality” is given lip service and seldom practised.

Education alone has little effect in an environment teeming with bad examples. When given the liberty, new drivers tend to follow bad examples, and young people pick up bad habits without being taught.

Our country will never achieve developed status until our citizens abhor bad behaviour. Concerned Malaysians are too few in number. A concerted effort can rally the critical mass needed to reach tipping point.

For this, our enforcement agencies hold the key. They have the mechanism to compel transformation of our society.

Y.S. CHAN, Kuala Lumpur.