KUALA LUMPUR – Some vehicle owners who are passionate about modifying their cars are willing to disregard the law despite being aware of the dangers of their hobby, including causing accidents.
Kuala Lumpur Road Transport Department (RTD) director Mohd Zaki Ismail said there are reasons behind the regulations imposed, chief among them being to ensure road users’ safety.
“For example, the use of high-intensity discharge lights can cause temporary blindness (to other motorists), leading to accidents,” he told a press conference this morning after leading an integrated operation in Jalan Cheras near the Taman Mutiara mass rapid transit station here.
The operation started at 9pm yesterday and ended about midnight.
Zaki said the enforcement action taken against owners of modified vehicles is a “last resort” to ensure motorists’ safety.
It is not meant to punish, he said, but more about disciplining drivers.
The operation last night saw 1,750 vehicles inspected, with action taken against 197 for various offences, he said.
A total of 365 notices were issued to errant motorists, mostly for not having a valid driving licence (170), using “fancy” number plates (76) and having an expired road tax (67).
Of the total vehicles inspected, 245 were checked by the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) and 47 notices issued, while the Environment Department (DoE) checked 53 vehicles, with action taken against 11.
Twenty-eight motorists were ordered to undergo a urine test, with 10 found positive for methamphetamine and cannabis.
Two Myanmar nationals were detained for not having valid travel documents.
The operation involved 133 personnel from RTD, JSPT, Immigration Department, National Anti-Drug Agency, DoE and Puspakom, or the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre. – Bernama, March 27, 2021
