• Amendments to the Road Transport Act (RTA) allow local councils to appoint their own traffic wardens.

• These wardens can enforce traffic laws instead of just issuing parking fines.

• The amendments also mean traffic enforcement agencies can only issue court summons instead of compound fines.

We have seen motorists flout traffic laws under the noses of Dewan Bandaraya enforcement officers, but the officers could nothing about them. That will soon change when the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2018 takes effect.

Local Traffic Wardens

The Dewan Rakyat passed an amendment to Section 3(4B) of the Road Transport Act on 11^thDecember. According to the section, local councils (Dewan Bandaraya and Majlis Perbandaran) can now appoint their own traffic wardens. These wardens can enforce traffic laws, for example against a motorcyclist running the red light. This is great news indeed as the police need assistance in enforcing the laws.

However, a restriction was added to Section 4 of the act. It details that the local council traffic wardens can only enforce laws within the areas under their jurisdiction only. It means Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur wardens cannot act on offences in Shah Alam.

So, please stop at the red light and park in allocated spaces.

Court Summons Instead of Compound Fines

An amendment to Section 120 of the RTA states that traffic enforcement agencies no longer have the discretion to compound offences. A fine (saman) means you can pay it at your own leisure. however, a court summons means you have to attend court and answer to the magistrate.

The agencies will need to first obtain the consent of the Attorney General in writing in order to issue a fine.

Failure to appear in court will result in an arrest warrant being issued.

This is serious, so please do remember. It may sound draconian, but it is probably one of the more effective ways to stop errand motorists.

Source: asklegal.my