How Malaysian Drivers Are Breaking The Law

You come to a T junction. The road ahead is a double lane road.

You intent to go into the right lane and then the traffic light ahead. But the vehicle in front of you has stopped right in front of you. And it’s a yellow box. Such selfish drivers do certainly spoil your day.

This is one of the many actions which contravenes the law.

As a driver, try not to be too selfish. Please think of other drivers too.

Motorcycles are meant to ferry only two people. Although the law is silent, police do not fancy to arrest riders who break the law by placing a young rider in the front basket of the motorcycle.

This practice is adopted by many motorcycle riders. We are aware that motorcycles are normally used by the lower strata of society. We understand those who ride motorcycles come from the lower income group.

Motorcycle riders may not be able to afford the buying of cars which are rather costly. But parents, by placing or allowing their children to sit in the basket of motorcycles are in fact contravening the laws.

Parents should always remember that a child that’s allowed to sit in the vicinity of the basket is in fact being exposed to serious dangers. Think about this seriously, and it is hoped you’ll change your attitude.

A mother holding a baby in her arms as she travels along in her husband’s motorcycle is in fact putting her child in great danger indeed. I’ve often seen incidents where the child during emergency brakes, is thrown over the handle bars and onto the road itself.

When there’s a double line, motorcyclists should not, amongst other things overtake. Malaysian are so impatient. In such situations, I’ve seen the majority of riders putting their own lives in danger.

When approaching a traffic light ahead, riders should in fact follow behind the row of cars. But what happens is, the modern day motorcyclists ride over the double line and onto the right hand side and into the opposite side of the road.

Policemen who observe such actions seem to condone such behavior of motorcyclists. They do not seem to take any stern actions towards such unbecoming behavior. It is no wonder that Malaysian drivers and riders are considered as the worst road users in the world.

At any traffic light junction, observe carefully. From a total of 10 or 15 motorcyclists, there will be one or two who will eventually beat the traffic light. This shows lack of discipline of our youths.

In doing such things, there will come a time when an accident is bound to take place. Unless some drastic action is taken, and such dangerous acts are curbed, the menace of such poor behavior is bound to increase.

I have often seen drivers with a small child sitting on his or her lap as he or she drives along. Does the driver not know such actions contravene the law?

Such actions are extremely dangerous. How can a driver control a car well with a child on his lap?

Hopefully the authorities such as the police and J.P.J. will take immediate actions on such drivers. These actions not only contravenes the laws, but also cause dangers to other road users as well.

Children who normally travel along in cars with their parents are usually not belted up. Many children are allowed by their parents to stand around as the vehicles move along.

Children should in fact be asked to sit down, irrespective of whether are in front or rear seats. The law in Malaysia today has made the usage of seat belts mandatory for both front and rear passengers.

Parents should therefore see to it that passengers, especially children, wear their seat belts to prevent them getting hurt when accidents occur.

There are many other ways drivers and riders break the law. Hopefully, with the highlighting of some major offenses committed by drivers and riders, such unwarranted behavior can be reduced.

By | 2012-09-21T22:31:49+08:00 April 28th, 2010|Driving In Malaysia|8 Comments

About the Author:

8 Comments

  1. wm April 28, 2010 at 4:54 pm - Reply

    I have read a blog which written by a British who is working in KL. I think he gave me a clear image about Malaysian’s driver:-

    Q: What is the most important rule of the road in Malaysia?
    A: The most important rule is that you must arrive at your destination
    ahead of the car in front of you. This is the sacrosanct rule of
    driving in Malaysia. All other rules are subservient to this rule.

    Pathetic, right? So I always keep my mind and tell myself to be a good driver.

    • Cikgu Yap May 1, 2010 at 6:40 am - Reply

      Although pathetic, is might very well be the truth!

      As they say, the truth hurts!

  2. Sinimotor May 21, 2010 at 10:01 am - Reply

    While it is true that Malaysians are not very obedient to the traffic laws, it is the authority who did not take any actions which causes the continuation of the bad driving habits. The law enforcers should install CCTV in most T-junctions and major roads and I’m sure they will less people breaking laws. But, seriously, you’re too kind to even mention just two out of a total of 10 or 15 motorcyclists beat the traffic lights.

    • Cikgu Yap May 22, 2010 at 4:25 am - Reply

      We should blame ourselves for being indiscipline drivers. Let’s not always blame others, especially the authorities.

      CCTV cameras will seen be installed under the A.E.S. (Automated Enforcement System).

      You are absolutely right! I might be too kind to mention only 1 or 2 beat the traffic light.

  3. Muhammad March 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm - Reply

    Hi Cikgu Yap,

    Thanks for all the advice; it’s really quite helpful. I have a query concerning my license. I am currently holding a Probationary (‘P’) B2 license which will expire in June. I would like to upgrade to a B license so I can use bigger capacity motorcycles.

    My question(s) is:

    1. What would be the procedure for this? Will I need to wait until June to get my CDL and then apply for the B2 (and will this mean that I will have to take the classes again?). I assume that there will be charges for this…

    2. Alternatively, if I apply for the B2 now will that probationary period be included in the current one (i.e. get a CDL in June) or will I need to start another 2 year probationary period?

    N.B. I’m not sure if It makes a difference in this case, but I am a foreigner.

    Thanks again for the assistance.

    • Cikgu Yap March 8, 2012 at 4:10 pm - Reply

      Attend 6 hour theory course. With B Full “L”, you can learn the big bikes. Obviously, you’ll be charged for classes. Your “P” days will end with your B2 probation period.

  4. from australia May 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm - Reply

    I was just in my first road accident in Malaysia, after being here for 9 years.

    A motor cycle overtook the car behind me up the left gutter at high speed, then banged into the side of my car while I was turning left into my driveway. The young rider dinged up the side of my car and his bike.

    But thankfully he seemed OK walking around talking OK – I felt sorry for the young guy and his father who turned up later. I have an unrestricted motorcycle license in Australia, so I appreciate just how dangerous a motorcycle can b

    Caution that comes from attending some of the best advanced driver’s and rider’s courses available at a place called mount cotton. All of which basically taught us ‘we are human, we make mistakes, so drive carefully.’

    As a fellow motorcyclist I have always keep an eye out for their dangerous antics and have winced at many witnessed close calls . Despite their own apparent complete lack of regard for their own safety?

    Thinking no more of the accident. I left it be, but a local friend told me I better go to the police station and report it .

    Lucky I did, according to the police officer it was my fault. The father was already there having filed his report of the accident. Apparently motorcycles are allowed to overtake in the gutter and in between cars in Malaysia? Surely if such a law exists it is extremely dangerous, to the riders their pillion passengers and other road users?

    I know the motorcyclists do this dangerous type of road behaviour regularly – but surely it is ahard slap in the face common sense which should be the basis of common law?

    I understood road rules in UK and Australia are not that diffirent to those in Malaysia. A motorcycle is a vehicle same as a car or truck & all have to obey the same road laws?

    Is there any JPJ legislation a manual given to learner’s to learn the road rules? therefore not edanger their own life and others? I would very much like to see this manual .

    If we meant it ‘accidents’ would be called ‘delibrates’

    • Cikgu Yap May 11, 2012 at 7:26 pm - Reply

      Your impeccable 9 year accident free driving in Malaysia rather impressive. Though motorcyclists aren’t allowed to overtake on the left as it is dangerous, nevertheless, the law in Malaysia appears to side them. In your case, although you’re not at fault, the police will proceed on to say that you are at fault. There’s in fact nothing that you can do, except, in you wish, to fight out the case in the courts of law, which is unfortunately a big hassle.

Leave A Comment