TMM,Thursday 22 March 2012
Our leaders ought to realise that transforming our nation remains a distant dream as long as violation of traffic rules and regulations continue unabated as can be seen almost anywhere anytime.
Lack of courtesy in using public roads and walkways coupled with lackadaisical enforcement have made our society crass to the extent that Malaysians are now nonchalant with the scourge.
Sadly, many of those who consider themselves morally upright and proud of their Asian values would not see the lack of civility in themselves and those around them.
Those who claim to be religious or virtuous lose credibility if they do not display or promote courtesy.
Among the many “broken windows” that need to be fixed, perhaps none is more urgent than what is happening on our roads and walkways. It is apparent to everyone especially foreign visitors.
However, this perennial problem can be fixed by adopting a more intelligent approach to enforcement and believe or not, without incurring an extra sen by the government.
Private companies can be appointed to assist in surveillance without eroding the closely guarded power of the various enforcement agencies to summon and prosecute.
Ex-servicemen can be recruited and trained to be camera crew for recording traffic violations such as jumping red lights or hogging yellow boxes, driving on bus and emergency lanes, illegal parking, reckless driving and speeding.
The camera crews must wear bright uniforms and be highly visible to deter traffic violations. They should not hide behind pillars or bushes.
Static cameras, if noticed, are often treated as non-functioning. They are not effective deterrence and merely record the offence after the act. Besides, it will cost millions of ringgit to install and maintain a sufficient number.
The camera crew are bound to be efficient as they are to be paid incentives based on the evidence submitted.
The coffers of the enforcement agencies would swell from the higher collection of fines and their systems can be upgraded to cope with the increase in summonses.
Those caught on camera are to be notified by post and the evidence can be viewed online by keying in the notification and vehicle registration numbers.
Motorists should be left off the hook for the first offence so as to forewarn the public that they can no longer get away with impunity.
Our roads would be safer as the presence of many camera crew would deter street crimes such as snatch thefts.
Our environment would be cleaner as these camera crew can also record vehicles emitting excessive smoke or illegal dumping.
It would be unwise to open the paid surveillance scheme to all as ordinary citizens can be assaulted for indiscreetly pointing their camera at the offenders.
I have been advocating for the appointment of private companies to assist in the surveillance for our enforcement agencies since 2003 but there has been no response.
Lack of courtesy on our roads has permeated into the Malaysian psyche. The fifth tenet of our national philosophy “Courtesy & Morality” is given lip service and seldom practised.
Education alone has little effect in an environment teeming with bad examples. When given the liberty, new drivers tend to follow bad examples and young people pick up bad habits without being taught.
Our country will never achieve developed status until our citizens abhors bad behaviours. Concerned Malaysians are too few in number. A concerted effort can rally the critical mass needed to scale the tipping point.
For this, our enforcement agencies hold the key. They have the mechanism to compel transformation of our society.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
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