Traffic offenders are appearing increasingly incorrigible

LETTER | The new year started with a tremendous effort by the police. In one traffic operation alone in Penang, some 399 motorists - the infamous Mat Rempit were booked for various traffic offences.

While we must applaud the hard work and sacrifices of our police on the eve of the new year, the various traffic operations held throughout 2019 raise a serious concern that needs the attention of the country's leadership.

It appears that as the registered motor vehicles keep swelling in numbers each year, the glaring offences that have been booked are also increasing.

Despite numerous roadblocks and subsequent traffic summonses issued by the police, there seems to be an indifference being exhibited by motorists.

Road accidents, road bullying, inconsiderate and selfishly dangerous motoring attitudes, not maintaining vehicles properly, using vehicles and roadways for illegal racing - and many more aspects of breaking the road transport laws refuse to reduce significantly.

Loss of lives on the road is akin to murder, if not worse. Innocent victims suffer as reckless, inexperienced and law-breaking motorists cause uncountable misery on road users and commuters, including innocent children.

It certainly looks like motorists do not care for others and the laws of this country any more.

Meanwhile, crime watch responsibilities are taking a backseat as the understaffed, overworked police have to man such traffic operations every now and then.

We need the country's leadership to decide, once and for all, how we should deal with this growing problem of recalcitrant, uncaring, non-compliant and inexperienced motorists.

Let us hope that, even though we are unable to achieve our Vision 2020 goals, at the least we should see the government working fast towards shaping up our national aggregate on road safety and motoring attitudes in the next 12 months.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.