11/09/2005

"LOOK PETER, LOOK JANE SEE THEM GO"

ROAD MENACE

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 160,000 unlicensed motorists – potentially a menace to themselves and other road users – were caught by police in the last 11 months.
And the authorities believe that the actual number could be a whole lot bigger.
Although the police do not have figures on the number of accidents caused by unlicensed motorists, 13 of those killed in accidents during the recent festive period were motorcyclists without licences.
Greatly concerned over the matter, the Road Safety Department is seeking stiffer punishment for such offenders to reduce their number.
During the recent Ops Sikap IX, he said, more than 10% of the motorcyclists killed were found to be “kiddie” riders without licences.
“For example, parents should not allow their children to drive cars or ride motorcycles if they don’t have a licence.”
“The 13 unlicensed motorcyclists who died during the festive period represented a significant percentage of the total fatalities.
“The existing penalties are not stringent enough and we have to take a look at them again,” he said, adding that the department would be conducting awareness campaigns on the matter.
Echoing SAC II Gingkoi, he said: “We will also be talking to parents, because these under-aged children should not be on the roads.”

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