Don't allow traffic violations to become part of culture

The Road Safety Expert Association (RSEA) is urging Malaysian authorities to crack down on motorcycle rider offences, particularly in residential areas, housing estates, and small towns. The group is particularly concerned about traffic offences that are becoming normalized and are seen as acceptable behaviour within communities.

Common violations include riding without a helmet, running red lights, carrying more passengers than allowed, and reckless riding. When such offences are allowed to persist, they can evolve from individual misconduct into accepted community practices. This is especially worrying when children and young people witness these behaviours and begin to view them as normal.

RSEA stresses that the issue cannot be viewed as merely a matter of individual discipline or a matter for fines. When repeated violations are not effectively addressed, they can become part of the local culture. The group calls for more stringent penalties for running red lights, which is one of the most dangerous forms of traffic violation.

This includes higher fines, heavier penalties for repeat offenders, appropriate demerit points or licence consequences, and stronger enforcement at high-risk junctions using automated detection methods.

The aim is not just to issue more summonses, but to send a clear message that a red light means stop. Traffic police should focus enforcement not only on major roads and urban areas but also on residential neighborhoods and small towns, identifying locations and times when violations frequently occur. This approach should be consistent rather than seasonal, ensuring that traffic laws apply everywhere.

Community involvement is crucial, with mosques, surau, Village Development and Security Committees (JKK), residents' associations, and elected officials being encouraged to incorporate road-user safety into their local agendas. Mosques and surau can play a significant role through sermons, helmet-wearing campaigns, education, and raising awareness about the dangers of running red lights.

JKKs and residents' associations can help identify high-risk areas and behaviours, while DUN and Parliamentary Community Service Offices should integrate road-user safety into their community development and public well-being efforts.