KUALA LUMPUR: The capital’s infrastructure is of world-class standards but the behaviour of road users are not on par, says city police.
With this in mind, an operation has been launched to ensure motorists comply with traffic laws.
City police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the operation would be ongoing and is needed as road users have been lax on the rules.
“This has long been overdue. Infrastructure-wise, we are world-class but in terms of driving (attitude), we are still at a rather low level.
“So, my officers and I have planned to bring back the dignity of road laws here so that we can be a good example.
“And I hope this will then be emulated by other states,” he added.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said besides the operation, police would also be going to the schools to educate and instil good values in children.
On this, he said he would meet and discuss with the Education Ministry.
“I want our capital to be seen as a metropolitan city. I want to educate (the people) but it might take some time and there is not a definite time frame,” he told reporters at one of the 16 operation checkpoints yesterday.
In Bukit Bintang, a driver caught the ire of the enforcement team after he started blaring his horn excessively at another vehicle near a traffic stop as the light had turned yellow.
Unknown to him, Comm Shuhaily was standing right next to him with members of the media as they were walking from a nearby traffic crossing.
It was believed that the driver had vented his anger as the vehicle in front of him had blocked his chance to pass the junction.
Traffic police quickly swarmed in to pull both drivers to the side.
Soon after, another driver was also caught trying to beat the red light.
At another checkpoint in Taman Desa Aman, a motorcyclist and a pillion rider, who were spotted riding without their helmets on, have been slapped with a summons each.
For the first time, such an operation was carried out during peak hours in the city.
“To me, it is simple; be it peak hours or not, offences made by road users are so frequent.
“We understand and we do not want to trouble the masses.
“At the same time, we must also sacrifice a little in order to bring back some national dignity,” he said at a press conference later in the day.
On discounts for traffic compounds, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said there would not be any as long as he is the city police chief.
“If there are any decisions made later I will comply, but personally speaking, it’s a no. When I was in Penang I also did not give discounts,” he added.
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