KUALA LUMPUR: A traffic violation which ends up in court may land reckless and dangerous drivers in the traffic police’s repeat-offenders database under a fresh proposal.
Bukit Aman’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) is working on this to track and identify drivers with repeated run-ins with traffic rules.
Department director Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the system would not just focus on drink-driving offences detected through Ops Mabuk but record all traffic offences resulting in convictions.
“The system will enable us to identify individuals who repeatedly commit traffic offences, allowing for more effective enforcement and monitoring of repeat offenders,” he said in an interview.
In principle, he said all offences under the Road Transport Act (RTA) that have undergone the legal process and resulting in court-imposed penalties would be recorded in the database.
“The data will help authorities identify patterns of repeat offences and support the effort to enhance enforcement and improve road safety,” he added.
Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said the system would strengthen the management of data on repeat traffic offenders in the country.
“It is currently being developed in collaboration with the police’s information technology unit to ensure it meets operational and legal requirements.
“With the system still being finalised, the timeline for its pilot phase or full implementation will be announced once it is ready for launch.”
The move follows the high number of road fatalities involving drivers under the influence of substances recorded since 2023, despite amendments to the RTA in 2020 to increase penalties for such offences.
“Statistics show a total of 120 fatal cases involving drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
“We arrested 949 individuals in the first six months of the year alone, from the 1,634 police operations conducted to combat drink-driving.
“It is a notable increase from last year, when a total of 692 operations led to 930 arrests.”
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He added that Kuala Lumpur recorded the most arrests this year, with 268 suspects caught, followed by Johor with 223 arrests. A total of 182 arrests were made in Selangor as well.
Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said the most arrests involved those aged between 31 and 40, with 352 arrests.
On the charge rate, he said 1,040 investigation papers were opened.
“A total of 414 cases resulted in convictions and sentencing, compared with 334 cases over the same period last year,” he said.
On whether the new database would be integrated with the Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) Demerit Points System (Kejara), he said Kejara was fully under JPJ’s jurisdiction.
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He said JSPT remained open to working with JPJ on initiatives that could enhance traffic enforcement and road safety.
“Any proposal, including system integration or policy improvements, will need to be discussed comprehensively with the relevant agencies before a decision is made,” he said.
