Not the way to go: Using a mobile phone while driving or sitting in traffic is an offence. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: These are seemingly “innocent acts” which happen so frequently you won’t think it would get you into trouble.
But they can.
Take for example a man who was fined RM400 in June for spitting out of a window on the Karak Highway.
There are certain deeds that drivers do habitually without realising they could run afoul of the law or jeopardise safety.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said one of the most common sights and also reason for accidents was the use of mobile phones while behind the wheel.
“With the introduction of food delivery services, this offence also extends to motorcyclists. If an individual is found driving with their mobile phone in their hands, even if they are not using it, they could be fined up to RM1,000 (first offence) or one month’s jail or both, and RM2,000 (second offence) or two months’ jail time or both,” he said.
He opined the use of mobile phones while driving and stuck in jams was the single most common offence and cause of accidents.
He said another deed which was not only dangerous but could also cause unnecessary jam was when road users leave the vehicles on the side of the road while attempting repairs and diagnosing faults.
“This practice could also be seen as inconsiderate and in this era of constant traffic jams in the Klang Valley, not tolerable,” he said.
There are also very well-known and commons acts by road users which unsurprisingly lead to the commission of offences.
These include vehicles with heavy tinting, loud exhaust systems, illegal parking, illegal colour wrapping of vehicles and driving on the emergency lane.
He said drivers should abide by the Road Transport Department’s rules on car tinting, wearing a seat belt and to slow down when the traffic light turns yellow.
They should also be mindful to not use emergency lanes simply to bypass traffic jams.
“It must also be noted that over-loading of cars above the number of seats in the car is also an offence. In addition, the typical act of accelerating when yellow light comes on is also illegal and in my opinion rather reckless as well,” he said.
Rajesh also drew attention on the increasing number of road bullies.
“Apart from being frowned upon, there are a number of offences for the acts often perpetrated by these road bullies.
“These include blocking overtaking cars as well as overtaking from the left side or overtaking dangerously/recklessly without signalling and reckless lane changing,” he said.
One should avoid parking at a spot which is not designated for parking, even if it is just for a few minutes.
“This is also a reminder that leaving ones children (pets included) in a parked car is definitely not okay even with the air conditioning on and the windows slightly rolled down,” he said, adding this had led to deaths.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre (RSRC) head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said over-conversing with other passengers or talking on the phone, even if it was hands-free, could cause drivers to become distracted.
This, he said, could result in a car accident.
“The proper way to hold a steering wheel is with the left hand at the 10 o’clock position and the right hand at the two o’clock position. When holding incorrectly, such as with both hands crossed, the air bag could deploy and cause serious facial injuries,” he said.
Apart from that, he said driving barefoot was ill-advised as it might reduce a driver’s ability to feel the brake pedal, including having the seat moved up too close to the steering wheel.
Based on statistics from the police, a total of 370,286 road accidents were recorded in 2021 with 4,539 fatalities.
As of March 31, 114,639 road accidents were recorded nationwide with 1,323 deaths.
