Enhance road safety by booking every errant motorist

EVERYONE who uses our roads today can attest to seeing a rampant disregard for traffic rules. In fact, if you are at a traffic lights junction, there is a high chance that you will see the motorcyclist in front of you speeding through the red light. And drivers are doing this as well.

Also, after watching their antics, I am convinced that Malaysians do not know how to use roundabouts. Isn’t this covered during the driving lessons?

It also appears that most drivers are unaware of the “right of way” rule that controls driving at intersections. On our roads, we certainly cannot assume that the driver of the other car would yield the right of way.

So who is at fault for this lack of respect for our traffics laws? Some would put the blame on driving schools, saying that their focus is more on getting the learner to pass the test rather than instilling in their students the fact that it’s a privilege and not a right to obtain a driving licence.

Blame can also be placed on the authorities that are not strictly enforcing the traffic laws.

As we have a new government and the promise of a better Malaysia, I appeal to the authorities to do something concrete to resolve this problem.

I know it’s hard to stop everyone but if the traffic policeman can just summon one motorcyclist or one driver for going through a red light, it would make the others think twice about doing the same thing, and those who still observe the law would have hope. Do not, under any circumstances, let these errant drivers and motorcyclists get off scot-free.

Our traffic laws are comprehensive enough. Unfortunately, due to lack of strict enforcement, these laws are being disregarded by a huge number of motorists.

Another thing I find quite alarming is the degree of discourtesy on our roads. Any driver who has driven for some time – I have been driving for over 40 years – can agree with me that this getting worse. So please stop the rot on our roads today!