This taxi driver does a balancing act by holding a handphone in one hand and walk-talkie in the other while driving.
KUCHING: A taxi driver was recently photographed doing a precarious balancing act – holding a walkie-talkie in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, both his hands just resting on the steering wheel.
Using a gadget while driving is a traffic offence that can cause the driver to be slapped with a RM300 fine, warned State Road Transport Department (JPJ) assistant director (Enforcement) Albert Clement.
Albert said both hands must be (fully) on the steering wheel with the eyes on the road while driving. This rule applies to everyone driving (vehicles and motorbikes) on the roads.
“Anyone wishing to communicate while driving must use a hands free gadget so their hands are still on the steering wheels,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Albert said operators and taxi owners were told the do’s and don’ts on the road before they got their Public Service Vehicle Licence from the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB).
“They must pass their theory before being issued such documents and only then can they use their vehicles to serve the public,” he said, calling for taxi owners and operators not to compromise on passenger safety.
“Taxi operators can stop by the roadside if they need to communicate as it is wrong to use communication gadgets while driving.”
Albert advised passengers to complain to RTD or the police if they see taxi drivers behaving irresponsibly. Give their taxi registration numbers.
Kuching First Division Taxi Association chairman Chong Foo Seng, when contacted for his comments yesterday, said: “It’s difficult to apprehend such errant taxi drivers. But we cannot compromise on the safety of passengers while ferrying them from one location to another.”
Chong called for all members of his associations to abide by the law.
“Please safeguard your bread and butter and our association’s good name,” he urged.
Chairman of Sarawak Taxi Owners Association Tay Teck Ming said: “We cannot afford to have this kind of taxi driver as our industry is already struggling to make ends meet.”
Tay called for all taxi drivers to uphold the image of their profession to earn the trust of passengers.
“We want to ensure a safe journey for our passengers who have supported us and for the taxi industry to flourish,” he said.