The video above shows AES speeding cameras up and running on the South Klang Valley Expressway. So, do not go beyond the speed limit of 80 km/h or you’ll be issued a summons.

If you are a motorist, then obviously you know something about the Road Transport Ordinance 1987.

It is also believed that you will be aware of the Demerit System and the provision of points which if tabulated conscientiously by the Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (J.P.J.) at Putrajaya, will result in either a “P” driver or an experienced driver better known as Competent Driver’s License (C.D.L.) holder eventually losing their driving licenses.

As a Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu lecturer at one large driving institute, I have always made it a point to emphasise on the important of the Demerit System advocated by the defensive form of driving which Australia is said to follow.

Where the above system is reported to have resulted in a drop of accidents for Australia, surprisingly, it has not done the same for our country, Malaysia.

Malaysia and the Road Transport Department in reality attempts to adhere rigidly to the defensive form of driving advocated by our neighbor Australia. But what surprised me was the latest announcement by our Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha in Kuala Lumpur recently is most baffling indeed.

It is most unbelievable the authorities have announced that motorists, which obviously will include “P” drivers too who have just received their driving licenses will not be slapped with demerit points any longer under the latest announcement made by the Ministry of Transport.

It was announced by the Transport Minister that if motorists settle outstanding summons within a period of 3 months, then the demerit system will not be applied upon them.

With the rate of accidents in the country rising in leaps and bounds, why has the government decided on such a ridiculous move?

The Demerit System, under the Road Transport Ordinance 1987, represents one of the core features of the Ordinance. The latest announcement by the authorities has dealt a death blow to efforts of attempting to curb and lower the rate of accidents in our country.

What is the purpose of wasting so much public funds and efforts during each and every Ops Sikap campaign during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas celebrations, if the authorities have no right to take action and in general cannot ban or suspend licenses of drivers, especially those in the “P” or C.D.L. categories?

I hold the opinion that if demerit points will not be used as from now on, what then is the purpose of having the Demerit System enshrined in Road Transport Ordinance 1987 in the first place?

As from March 1st 2011, motorist might as well forget about their dreams of expecting the authorities to provide huge discount for their unpaid summons. Millions of outstanding summonses have yet to be settled by motorists.

In order to alleviate the above major headache which the government is facing today, the Cabinet has agreed to restructure the method of paying summonses based upon the maxim of “the more you delay, the more you pay”.

The diagram below is a table for revised categories of offenses, payment periods and new compound rates as announced by the government recently.

If one were to study the above table carefully, a motorist will pay more for summonses if he were to delay payment. The best alternative which should be adopted by motorists is “pay up as soon as possible”, as it is cheaper in the long run.

Another good news for motorist is the restructure system of payment will also cover fines issued by all enforcement agencies including the local councils, the police and also the J.P.J. as well.

The new announcement takes effect on March 1st 2011. However, summonses for traffic offenses which are serious in nature will not be provided with any discount at all.

Through a system of records created at the J.P.J. Headquarters at Putrajaya, summons by the Police Authorities, the J.P.J. and the Court Authorities are tabulated.

Drivers belonging to the “P” category and the C.D.L holders (experienced drivers) will have action taken against them:

a) when P drivers attain 10 Demerits Points within 1 year.
b) when C.D.L. holders obtain 15 demerit Points within 2 years.

Assuming these 2 classes of drivers know what the Demerit System is all about and the 18 or so items through which they can obtain their demerit points, I shall proceed therefore to talk about what happens to their Licenses then.

In “P” cases, their licenses will be Suspended. The J.P.J. Headquarters will issue them a show cause letter as to why their P licenses should not be suspended.

Unless the holder has a very good reason, most likely you will not be spared a suspension. During suspension period, you cannot drive or apply for any sort of license to drive any class of vehicles.

After the suspension period is over (suspension normally is 1 year) you will then have to resit the Part I (Parking, Slope and 3 Point Turn) aspects all over again. Part II (Jalan Raya) will also have to be retaken once again.

But the good news is, you can request the Ketua Pengarah for exemption of the Highway Code. Exemption to the “Pra Ujian” section is also permitted.

C.D.L holders are slightly different category altogether. Upon securing 15 Demerit Points in a 2 years period, C.D.L. holders will receive a 12 months suspension, followed by steps to cancel the license concerned.

Unless you have good reasons as to why your license should not be canceled, it is most likely you are on your way to losing it. Anyway, the Minister Of Transport seems your only resort of appeal.

Anyway, the Urusetia, J.P.J. will then request that you surrender your C.D.L. license either to J.P.J. Headquarters itself or to any J.P.J. office nearby.

Bring your above documents to the above mentioned place where letters of acceptance will be issued to you. Do remember to keep the above documents well as you will need them for further reference with J.P.J. later on.

If you still continue to drive, inspite of your license being bauned, remember that stern action can be taken against you – a RM2000 fine and a 6 month imprisonment is probably your reward.

For more information on the Demerit System, see also the blog post on how your C.D.L. (Competent Drivers’ License) can be suspended.