KUALA LUMPUR: The new provisions under the amended Road Transport Act 1987 will empower police to take a more proactive approach in tackling illegal street racing and tighten the net around tonto syndicates.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Comm Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said the new amendments could assist police in preventing dangerous driving rather than investigating a road crash after it occurs.
He said Section 42A of the Act introduced a specific provision to address illegal street racing and speed trials, enabling the police to act without having to wait for an accident.
“We will be able to carry out a more proactive and preventive enforcement approach through intelligence gathering, targeted operations and the use of digital evidence.
“Our priority is to prevent tragedies, not merely investigate them after they happen.
“Public roads are not racing circuits. We will not compromise when it comes to protecting road users,” he said when contacted.
Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said tonto or lookout syndicates, which undermine enforcement operations and help offenders evade detection, were another concern addressed by the amendments.
He said Section 110B provides for action against specified acts of interference with enforcement operations, including obstructing officers and certain activities involving the disclosure of enforcement information.
“We will intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen cooperation with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and other agencies to identify and dismantle these networks.
“Our focus is not merely on the individuals operating on the ground but also those who organise and facilitate these illegal activities,” he added.
Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said the amendments also strengthened measures against vehicle identity manipulation and falsified documents, which could be linked to vehicle theft, fraud and other criminal activities.
“We will work with JPJ to detect suspicious vehicles by verifying registration records.
“Every vehicle must have a legitimate and traceable identity. Those who deliberately manipulate vehicle identities to evade the law must be held accountable,” he said.
On cross-border enforcement, Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said the new provisions would allow restrictions on Malaysian-registered vehicles crossing international borders when the relevant legal conditions were met.
He said traffic police would strengthen coordination with border enforcement agencies through information-sharing, verification of outstanding cases and joint operations.
“These measures would also support better compliance among foreign-registered vehicles in Malaysia.
“Crossing an international border should not become a means of escaping legal responsibility,” he said.
While the enhanced penalties in the amendments were expected to provide a stronger deterrent, Comm Muhammed Hasbullah said the effectiveness of the law would depend on the certainty of enforcement and not merely in the severity of punishment.
He said traffic police would continue to beef up investigations, intelligence-led operations and public awareness to ensure the amendments achieved their intended objectives.
“Our success should not be measured by the number of arrests or summonses issued but by the reduction in dangerous driving behaviour, road crashes and fatalities.
“The ultimate objective is to save lives and make Malaysian roads safer for all,” he said.
The Act, which came into force last week, introduced 42 amendments to strengthen road safety enforcement.
Illegal street racing and speed trials on public roads carry fines of RM2,000 to RM10,000, up to two years jail or both for a first conviction, while repeat offenders face fines of RM5,000 to RM20,000, up to five years jail or both.
Those convicted of offences related to tonto activities face fines of RM10,000 to RM50,000, one to five years jail or both.
