PETALING JAYA: Road safety experts believe the “pay early, pay less” traffic summons system set to take effect next year can be a game changer in addressing habitual traffic offenders who have long dodged paying their fines.
Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh welcomed the new system, saying it was a much-awaited game changer.
He said that while responsible motorists promptly settled their fines, many others delayed payment in hopes of enjoying hefty rebates offered throughout the year.
“The start of 2026 will be a major boost for road safety, as the long-standing practice of waiting for summons discounts finally comes to an end.
“The new policy rewards responsible motorists.
“After 30 days of non-payment, the full fine must be imposed with no exceptions,” said Suret.
He said prompt settlement of fines was a crucial step in strengthening the Kejara demerit point system which would impose strict penalties on habitual offenders.
Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia said the Transport Ministry’s upcoming “pay fast, pay less” system was a positive move if it was implemented effectively.
Backing the move to scrap summons discounts, he said that while such offers during seasonal campaigns might boost short-term collections, they could also seriously undermine road safety.
He said discounts weakened the deterrent effect of enforcement and turned summonses into flexible revenue tools instead of instruments to curb reckless behaviour.
“High fines are meant to influence decisions before dangerous acts occur, but frequent discounts reduce the penalty for high-risk offences like speeding which is a major cause of fatal crashes.
“This can create a perverse incentive where motorists wait for the ‘next amnesty’ instead of developing behaviour that complies with the law,” he told The Star.
Criminologist P. Sundramoorthy said the huge turnout of motorists to settle summonses showed how deeply rooted “discount culture” was among Malaysian drivers.
He hopes that the new “pay early, pay less” system next year marks a genuine shift toward firmer and more predictable enforcement.
“For years, many have delayed payment in anticipation of the ‘discount seasons’.
“This ultimately weakens the deterrent value of fines.
“In criminology, the certainty and consistency of punishment matter more than severity.
“Discount campaigns send mixed signals about accountability,” he added.
Sundramoorthy said any system that allowed sporadic waivers risked normalising non-compliance.
“Fines should drive behavioural change and not be treated as optional.
“The real measure of success will be whether Malaysians begin to take road regulations and the consequences for breaking them more seriously when discount programmes finally come to an end,” he said.
