KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 needs to be reviewed to impose harsher penalties on owners of luxury vehicles who drive without valid road tax and insurance.
According to the Road Safety Expert Association (PPKJR), the current minimum fine of RM300 is not a strong enough deterrent and has failed to curb the offence.
Jamil Manan Supri, the founder and road safety and motorsports advisor for PPKJR, said tougher penalties would make owners of such vehicles fear breaking the law. He added that the practice of some luxury vehicle owners who are willing to pay the RM300 compound to continue driving without valid road tax and insurance must be stopped completely.
He said that while enforcement agencies face constraints because they have to focus on more pressing issues such as commercial vehicle collisions and seatbelt compliance, this issue should also be prioritised as it involves the safety of other road users.
“The Road Transport Department (JPJ) needs to take proactive steps to detect and issue firm warnings to owners of luxury vehicles who violate the rules,” Manan said.
“Stern action must be taken so that drivers do not take road tax and insurance lightly, especially for high-powered luxury vehicles.”
Earlier, Berita Harian reported that the low fines for driving without road tax and insurance are allegedly the reason some owners of high-powered luxury vehicles do not renew these documents.
This reality was revealed by senior lawyer Muhammad Hasif Hasan, who shared his experience of meeting a product founder with a luxury vehicle who was willing to appear in court to settle a summons for driving without road tax and insurance.
Manan said the issue of luxury vehicle owners failing to pay road tax and insurance is not new. He added that the issue should not be taken lightly by vehicle owners because it will have a major impact on accident victims who cannot make insurance claims.
“It will also become more complicated when it involves human lives and requires legal processes, including compensation claims, and takes a long time to resolve,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
