The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is gearing up for the Chinese New Year festivities with the launch of its “Ops Khas Tahun Baru Cina 2025” and a Road Safety Campaign.
Running from 20th January to 9th February 2025, the campaign comes with a simple but vital message: “Drive Carefully, Arrive Safely.”
Cracking Down on Traffic Violations
This special operation is all about keeping an eagle eye on the roads to catch and penalise those who break traffic rules. JPJ’s got its sights on nine major offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), including:
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Overtaking on double lines
- Misusing emergency lanes
- Queue-cutting
- Using mobile phones while driving
- Not wearing seat belts or helmets
- Heavy vehicles hogging fast lanes
- Overloading
Spreading Awareness
JPJ isn’t just cracking down on bad behaviour; they’re also spreading the word on road safety. Over 30 awareness programs, like exhibitions and seminars, are in the works. Plus, safety kits will be handed out, thanks to partnerships with the media and other strategic allies.
Drivers are urged to keep their vehicles in top shape and stick to highway travel time advisories. And if you’re feeling sleepy? JPJ’s advice is simple: pull over and rest.
Reducing Road Deaths by 2030
JPJ is on a mission to cut down road fatalities and injuries by 50% by 2030. If you spot any traffic violations during the festive season, you can report them via the MyJPJ app or email aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my.
The Summons Situation
Here’s a shocker: since 2010, over RM806.9 million in traffic summonses have gone unpaid, with over 6 million tickets still outstanding.
2024 alone saw a record-high RM286.2 million in unpaid fines, compared to RM203.38 million in 2023, RM86.88 million in 2022, RM29.98 million in 2021, and just RM8.86 million in 2020.
From 2010 to October 2024, JPJ dished out over 26 million summonses, collecting RM2.3 billion. But despite their efforts, a staggering 15 million summonses are still unresolved.
To combat this, JPJ has started putting restrictions on those with unpaid fines, like blocking them from renewing their driver’s licences or road tax.
According to JPJ Director General Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, there are plans to add a new feature to the MyJPJ app that will notify users about any outstanding fines.
For those with unpaid summonses, there’s a bit of good news: JPJ is offering a RM150 flat rate for traffic offences until 30th June 2025. So, if you’ve got a backlog of fines, now’s the time to settle up.
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