PUTRAJAYA: A mobile application for the public to upload pictures of errant motorists is being developed by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Its enforcement director Datuk V. Valluvan Veloo said the move was to make it easier for the public to help the department nab culprits. Such pictures, he said, should not be limited to motorists who misused emergency and fast lanes but for other offences such as heavily tinted windows or modified vehicles.
JPJ personnel, added Valluvan, could not be everywhere and they were happy to receive such pictures from the public. “We want to encourage more people to snap pictures and send us the evidence,” he said in an interview.
However, he cautioned those taking the pictures to ensure that they were not breaking the law themselves. Those driving had no business using their phones to snap pictures of others talking on the phones, he said, adding that the task should be left to the passengers.
The department, he pointed out, had even acted against one of its own after pictures of an officer talking on the phone while driving a JPJ vehicle went viral last month. The officer in question was given a summons and transferred to another section as well as referred to the disciplinary board for further action.
Valluvan said 70% of information about those misusing the emergency lane came from the public, adding that action had been taken against these drivers. The number of drivers illegally using emergency lanes, he said, had reduced with stricter enforcement, adding that so far, 2,280 motorists were caught for the offence.
Currently, the public can still send pictures by e-mailing these to aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my with details, including time, location and vehicle plate number.
On another issue, Valluvan warned that action would be taken against those with illegal strobe lights, fancy horns or sirens on their vehicles. He said there had been instances when motorcades were illegally escorted by riders on superbikes with strobe lights.
