Khalid (left) takes a closer look at a Perodua Axia police patrol car during the ceremony. Also present are Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani (right). — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar is disappointed that the road accident statistics are still high and is of the view that the maximum fine for traffic offences be raised as part of initiatives to reduce the accident rate.
According to Khalid, it is to teach motorists to be more careful when driving because the human factor was still seen as the main contributor to accidents.
“By raising the maximun fine, it is hoped motorists will be more responsible,” he told reporters after attending a handover ceremony for four Perodua Axia cars for community policing sponsored by Perodua to the Royal Malaysia Police at the compound of Menara 1, Bukit Aman here yesterday.
The cars will be used by the city and Selangor police headquarters and the Brickfields and Taman Tun Dr Ismail police stations.
Khalid said the current maximum fine of RM300 did not appear to be a sufficient deterrent as the Op Selamat 8/2016 road safety operation launched for the Chinese New Year festive period did not see any material change in the fatality rate, with people driving on the emergency lane being the main contributors.
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the proposal by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali that the Official Secrets Act (OSA) 1972 be reviewed to impose stiffer penalties on offenders, Khalid said the police’s job was to enforce laws passed by Parliament. — Bernama