BANGI: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) is in the final stage of reviewing the Demerit Points System For Traffic Offences (Kejara), which is a safety mechanism to take serial offenders and dangerous drivers off the road.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said the improvements are part of the massive overhaul of the Kejara system as announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently.
"The Kejara system is in the final review stage at JPJ before we take it to the Transport Ministry for consideration," he said after an engagement session with the Association of Lorry Operators and Express Tourism Bus Operators on road safety initiatives here on Thursday (July 17).
Aedy Fadly said the improvements take time as it involves legal aspects and amendments.
Previously, Loke said Kejara would be overhauled soon because the system is currently ineffective and is deemed to be a failure.
Loke said the deduction of demerit points would only be done after a traffic offender has paid the summons or has been charged in court and not when the summons notice is issued.
The Kejara system is a procedure for assigning demerit points to motor vehicle drivers who commit scheduled offences under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the regulations thereunder.
A total of 20 offences identified as potentially causing serious or fatal accidents and endangering other road users was included in the list of offences under the (new) demerit point system.
Meanwhile, Aedy Fadly said holders of the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and Goods Vehicle Licence (GDL) who are involved in serious accidents will not get their license immediately suspended.
"A show-cause notice will be issued first and an assessment will be made on whether or not suspension is necessary. The state JPJ director is authorised to make this decision.
"So far, five drivers have had their PSV licences suspended. It is not permanently suspended. It is temporary and comes with a specfic term and duration," he said. — Bernama
