Reckless motorists who belong to the “P” or Probationary class and those from the category of Competent Driver’s License (C.D.L.) can have their licenses revoked by the Road Transport Department.

Nevertheless, the Demerit System or Sistem Kejara which is currently adopted by the J.P.J. seems to be unable to tackle the problem of punishing reckless drivers. Reports say, in 2009, only 15 C.D.L. and 15 “P” drivers have had their licenses revoked or suspended by the authorities. Compare this to 5,282 show-cause notices which were issued to reckless drivers.

First and foremost, the Malaysian public should first of all understand exactly how the Demerit System operates. Under our present system, a C.D.L. driver who builds up a 15 demerit points within a 2 years period can have his driving license suspended. Whereas a “P” driver who chalks up 10 demerit points within a year can have his license suspended.

Under the current system, a driver who is issued a summons for a traffic offense is given a period of 30 days or 1 month to pay up his summons. It becomes an offense only when he or she pays up the summons itself or if he or she is found guilty by the courts. Only then can demerit points be tabulated.

There is however a loophole in the present Demerit System. Most motorists choose not pay up or settle their summonses. This goes on to explain why there is such a high rate of unpaid traffic summonses in the country today.

However, the Road Transport Department announced recently, the Demerit System will soon undergo a revamp. It would soon be overhauled to give the J.P.J. more power to deal with reckless drivers.

What are some of the changes that will be introduced into the Demerit System?

1) There will not be any appeal for motorist. Drivers who obtain 15 demerit points cannot in future appeal to the department. His or her driving license will automatically be suspended.

2) Another proposal change that would be introduced into the system will be the provision of 2 months grace period to settle existing summons instead of the present 1 month or 30 days grace.

3) No demerit points will be imposed if one pays up the summons within the stipulated period. However, after the grace period is over, demerit points will be automatically imposed.

4) Another proposal change which the system will undergo is that the department from henceforth will be able to revoke a person’s license without first having to obtain it from the offender. In previous cases, many offenders refuse to surrender their licenses when ordered to do so by the department. The department from now onwards will be able to revoke a license directly from its database.

The authority, that is the J.P.J. has always felt that the Demerit System which was implemented in 1984 has always been a failure. With this in mind, the J.P.J. has been unable to obtain the necessary powers to act against errant drivers. In reality, the authorities feel that enforcement through the Demerit system had been slowing down since 2005.

With the recent announcement whereby the Demerit System will soon undergo a massive revamp, it is hoped that reckless drivers will soon be handed the rightful punishment they deserve.

In the latest announcement to the Malaysian driving public, the Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha feels the Road Transport Department has to adopt a stricter stance with regards to the Demerit System.

In fact, the success of the system should lie squarely on the shoulders of the Minster of Transport himself. As such, he should prove to the public his mettle. He should see to it that the new revamped Demerit System is not a failure.

I admit have not accorded the subject of riding motorcycles equal time in my articles as compared to cars.

Therefore, it has been decided that an article on it would be written on it today to correct the anomaly. To make riding motorcycle safely, a rider need only to remember to check a few important things. Some of the things which need to be checked from time to time are:

1) Remember to wear a safety helmet at all times.

The half helmet has been banned in Malaysia for quite some time now. However, the above is still very popular and used widely in the United States.

Ensure that a helmet is tied properly before a rider rides off. Straps have to be secured tightly and comfortably. Straps which are not secured properly will land a motorcyclist into trouble with the law.

The condition of a safety helmet has to be checked periodically. A helmet can undergo wear and tear. Its safety harness strap itself and the condition of the shell too can become weakened with the process of time. Riders are therefore advised to change this safety item after a period of time.

2) Wear suitable riding attire when riding a motorcycle.

It’s better when a motorcyclist remembers or make it a point to wear the correct attire when riding motorcycles. Amongst the correct and safety attire he should don are knee:

i) Knee high leather boots

ii) Leather jackets

iii) Leather gloves

iv) Goggles

v) Full face safety helmets

vi) Visor, if helmets are not provided with such item.

Riders are very proned to injuries to the ankles. Knee high leather boots provide the rider good protection especially to the legs.

3) Condition of both the front and rear brakes.

Brakes represent important items of the machine. See to it that the hydraulic fluid level most modern days machines use has its reservoir correctly filled.

Besides this, a good rider can easily determined if the braking capacity of the brakes are at its maximum. It only takes but a few minutes for mechanics at motorcycle repair shops to adjust both the front and rear brakes. All it needs is the riders own concern to rectify such anomalies.

The same also goes for the motorcycle chains. Chains which are either too tight or too elongated are dangerous for the rider’s safety. Have this important part of your machine adjusted.

4) Using both the front and rear brakes simultaneously.

Riders should be able to apply brakes in the correct manner. For safety purpose, both the hand and foot brakes have to be applied at the same time. Using only the foot brakes alone, will cause the machine to go into a slide or spin. During practical tests, not using the handbrake will obviously cause you to fail.

5) Putting up the machine’s side stand before moving off.

It’s very important for a rider to put up the machine side stand before riding off. Failure to do this might result in it causing the rider dangerous problems, especially when corners are executed.

So the very first thing riders are advised to do is to ensure that the motorcycle side stand is up before the rider rides off. This is one safety procedure which a rider should observe very rigidly for his own safety.

6) Avoid beating the red traffic light.

In Malaysia today, there seems to be a trend amongst motorcycle riders to beat the traffic lights. Motorcycles riders, I observe, tend to shoot off after waiting at the traffic light for a few seconds.

This is in fact dangerous. It is never encouraged at all. In case you are unaware, such action violates Circular K17 and 18 TS (LN 167/59) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and the courts under Section 119 (2) can fine you a sum of RM300.

Anyway, under the forth coming implementation of the Automated Enforcement System (A.E.S.) to be launched very soon in Malaysia, motorcyclists who behave in such a manner will have their days numbered.

7) Ensure that your front and rear headlights functioning properly.

The law in Malaysia requires a motorcyclist to put on his vehicle’s light during both the day and night as well. Failure to do this is an offense. As such, motorcycle riders should check that both the front lights and rear lights are in good working order to prevent getting summoned by the authorities.

8) Adjust your handle bar mirrors correctly.

The moment a motorcyclist goes astride a motorcycle and before moving off, he or she should in fact check and adjust the handle bar mirrors both the left and right.

These items are very important as they assist the rider while he is riding the bike. Ensure also that should either one of them be broken or lost, than they are to be replaced immediately. Not having either of them not only violates the law, it is in fact dangerous.

9) Make sure you possess your license when riding your motorcycle.

A rider who fails to show his driving license to the authorities such as the police of J.P.J. is in fact contravening Section 59 (2) of the R.T.O. 1987. The courts can, under Section 119 (2) fine a rider a sum of RM150 for this offense. The same also applies to one’s road tax and insurance. Ensure that the above two items are also in order prior to your using the motorcycle.

10) Check road tax and insurance validity.

As explained in the earlier paragraph, many people sometimes forget that their road tax has expired.

An expired road tax will automatically have its insurance coverage expired as well. To ensure that nothing of this sort should occur, make it a point the expiry dates of your road tax and insurance are well remembered by yourself.

11) Observe dangers on the road.

Riding a two wheeler machine compared to a 4 wheeler is without a doubt dangerous. You should therefore be on the alert to look out for oil spills on the road, sandy patches, water filled areas and most of all, slippery road conditions. These can cause a motorcycle to go into a slide. After a shower, road surface are normally covered with grime and oil which make the road surfaces very dangerous and difficult to control.

Taking a good note of the 11 things which normally confront a rider, it might one day assist you to avoid some mishaps which might befall you.

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In an earlier article written pertaining to traffic offenses which drivers may have committed against the Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987 (A.P.J.), some of the offenses have been highlighted for your perusal.

In this article, I will again highlight 10 other offenses, albeit lesser important ones, which many drivers might not be aware of. The list is as follow.

1) Brake Not Functioning.

Many drivers may not be aware, but brakes not functioning represent an offense. Should you be involved in a serious accident, you can be rest assured that the Road Transport Authorities will require your vehicle to be sent for a checkup to determine the condition of your brakes.

Circular K.15 (9) MV (C/U) LN 170/59, that makes it mandatory for a vehicle’s brakes to be checked. Under Section 119 (2), an offender can be fined a sum of RM300.

2) Allowing passengers to alight or ascend a vehicle and in the process hampers traffic flow.

I am rather certain this is one offense many drivers are unaware of. In allowing passengers to alight, or for that matter ascend a vehicle, the driver should see to it his vehicle is parked close to the side of the road shoulder. Failure to do this will via Circular K16RTR get the driver a summons for RM200. The court, under Section 119 (2), can impose for the above sum to be enacted upon you.

3) Beating a traffic light.

This is a very common traffic offense committed by many drivers. Making a mention to it again is not a waste of time. Under Circular K17 and 18 TS (LN 167/59) cites a driver committing an offense. Again Section 119 (2) allows the court authorities to impose a fine of RM300 on you.

4) Side doors and back doors of a vehicle not being closed tightly.

This action is considered dangerous action committed by a driver. As such, a driver driving a car in such a condition can under Circular K22 RTR, charge a driver. And under Section 119 (2) again, a driver is likely to receive a RM300 fine for it.

5) Motorcycles not fitted with handle bar mirrors.

Not having both the right and the left handle bar mirrors is an offense in Malaysia. Action by the authorities on motorcycles is provided for by Circular 21 MV (C/U). The court judge can under Section 119 (2) can fine a motorcyclist a sum of RM100 for the offense.

6) Wipers which are not functioning.

I remember, a Datsun 120Y used for tutoring students way back in the 1970s was found to have infringed Circular 23 MV (C/U), and under Section 119 (2) of the R.T.O. 1987. I received a J.P.J. summons of RM150.

7) Horn not functioning well.

Are you aware that if during a road block, the authorities, be it the Police or J.P.J., should find that your car horns are not functioning, Circular K24 MV (C/U) can get you charged under Section 119 (2) for a sum of RM150.

8) Indicator or signals not working.

Indicators and signals should always be in working condition. The above not working is obviously an offense as Circular K25 (MV (C/U) says very vividly that you have contravene a traffic offense. Do you know that the court can very well imposed a RM150 fine on you?

9) Brake lights not functioning.

Circular 26 MV (C/U) says clearly that a driver has committed a traffic offense. And under Section 119 (2), a driver is liable to be fined a sum of RM150. All these are sad but nonetheless true.

10) No mud flaps on vehicle.

A car that is not fitted by mud flaps has committed an offense and the driver can likely be fined as much as RM150. Circular K31 MV (C/U) allows a driver to be cited for an offense. Section 119 (2) says you can be fined a sum of RM150 for it.

10 seem to be a rather nice figure. As such, I feel that it should stop temporarily for the time being, as too many examples may lead to some readers getting bored. Until that next time around, drive carefully!