The head of the JPJ Enforcement Division told FMT this following a press conference to announce the department’s actions against drivers who break the law by using the emergency lanes on highways.
JPJ Enforcement Division Chief V Valluvan had earlier said that 2,522 drivers face prosecution after they were filmed or photographed using the emergency lane on highways illegally.
He praised the effectiveness of the exercise, thanks to the efforts of the many people who had emailed their photos or videos to [email protected], and giving the date, location and their names.
He clarified later that other traffic offences under the jurisdiction of the JPJ would also be acted upon if the department is provided with photo or video evidence.
“We want to remind everyone that people are watching. They may think they have got away with it (traffic offence) until they receive a notice in their mailbox,” Valluvan said at the press conference held in Wisma Cuepacs here.
He said that upon receiving the video or photo from the public, the JPJ would then carry out their own investigation, and send the summons notices to the traffic offenders within three weeks.
“The video or photo evidence will only be used against the traffic offenders if the original summons issued is challenged in court,” Valluvan said when asked if such footage taken by the public is admissible in court.
He said all 2,522 drivers who received the notices would have to appear in court between October 2016 and January 2017.
“It is a serious offence (using the emergency lane illegally). You could be fined up to RM2,000. Sometimes, it’s not just a fine, you could also go to jail.
“The enforcement is not seasonal (holidays and festive seasons), it is continuous. We (JPJ) could ask the police to arrest the drivers; but once found guilty, these drivers will be blacklisted and will not be able to renew their licences or road tax. Hence, either way they would have to get it settled,” Valluvan said.
JPJ has revealed that it has been receiving photographic and video evidence on drivers using the emergency lane illegally from the public since May this year.
The focus on the enforcement against vehicles using emergency lanes on highways was highlighted last May when two motorcyclists died in an accident on the North-South Expressway because the ambulance en route was blocked by vehicles that were hogging the emergency lane.
Under the law, the emergency lane is meant for the use of stalled cars, police, rescue workers and ambulances.
The JPJ urges the public to continue to support its efforts, and submit video and photographic evidence along with the desired details mentioned.
“We need these details when the case goes to court. The citizens’ names will remain anonymous in court, of course,” Valluvan explained.
Of the 2,522 traffic offenders who were issued summons for the illegal use of emergency lanes, JPJ said most were from Johor and Perak.