JPJ: 70% of those screened did not possess valid documents

MALACCA: A shocking 70% of those screened during festive season traffic operations are driving or riding without licences, said Road Transport Department (JPJ) deputy director-general Datuk Yusoff Ayob.

He added the figure dating back to a few years back also included those behind the wheels with expired driving licences.

The trend of driving without licenses was discovered not only during this Ops Selamat but also in previous years.

“We are talking about those driving without licences and this include both motorists and motorcyclists throughout the nation.

“I do not have the exact figure off-hand but can confirm that 70% of those checked during enforcement operation over the past two to three years were on the road without driving licences,” he said after witnessing a JPJ road safety operation in conjunction with Hari Raya along the Alor Gajah-Melaka-Jasin (AMJ) highway, near Bukit Piatu here on Tuesday night.

Yusoff said the highest number of those without driving licences were youths.

Students made the bulk of those driving without licences.

“This is a grave issue as those without driving licences and expired ones are not covered by insurance and other compensations when involved in accidents,” he said.

Yusoff said for instance, 57 of those 82 who were issued summonses from 8pm during the Tuesday operation at Bukit Piatu here were found to have no driving licences at all.

Yusoff said his team will intensify operation and enforcement to ensure that road-users abide by traffic regulations including possessing valid driving licences.

On the Hari Raya road safety operations, he noted that some 1,800 enforcement officers have been dispatched to ensure those on Balik Kampung exodus reach their destination safely.

He said during the operation, his men would focus on express bus drivers and motorcyclists. Enforcement officers would also go undercover to collect pictorial evidences on offences.

Yusoff added that the department has set a target of 10% reduction in road accidents for this year.

Last year, there were 46,000 accidents with 6,915 deaths recorded.