Cancelling AES fines from 2012 sends wrong message

Transport Ministry’s cancellation of all Automated Enforcement System (AES) traffic summonses from 2012 until this month has sent a wrong message to the public.

More than three million traffic summonses are being cancelled.

As a responsible citizen, I settled my AES summons promptly, and now I regret doing so. Perhaps, I should ignore all summonses issued to me in the future?

The move will make people not feel fearful of committing traffic offences due to the country’s poor enforcement of laws.

I told my relatives in Australia about our massive discounts for traffic fines and for delaying in paying such fines, and they were amazed. They told me that when there are delays in all kinds of payment, penalties will be imposed.

If I tell them about the cancellation of all AES speeding summonses, they will find it unbelievable and ridiculous.

We can have all kinds of laws and campaigns, but if our authorities are not enforcing our traffic laws strictly and taking firm action, we will not be able to reduce the accident rate.

Stop giving discounts for delays in paying fines and stop this nonsense about cancelling fines.

Laws and regulations were drawn up for a reason.

Enforcement must buck up.