Perpetuating the Cycle of Anarchy

There should be no short cuts in police work for it affects the department’s credibility in the long run.

I am referring to the amnesty for traffic offenders whereby you can get 50% discount for compound offences. According to the news, response has been “overwhelming” and therefore the period has been extended to the end of September.

Meanwhile Malaysia’s traffic statistics are worsening and there have even been calls for a commission of inquiry.

Anarchy on the roads is really bad with only periodic enforcement. After a few major traffic incidents, penalties are increased but these appear to only provide more opportunities for bribes than improving the driving habits.

The discounted offer only reinforces the notion that the police want to do things the easy way and this in effect bypasses all the increased penalties. Offenders who should have been tracked down and arrested and brought to trial are being let off as it seems the police cannot catch them.

I suggest this is the more effective way to reduce anarchy and improve police effectiveness:

1. Fines should be reduced so that they can be collected on the spot via cash or credit card equipment installed in police vehicles or they can call in details at the police station that is online.

2. Police operating procedures should include live recording of all the actions at the police station that the arresting officer is taking for review by a supervising officer.

3. When traffic summons are issued, the public can be given a small reward like RM10 for providing info via a web-site that has details and photo of the offender. This can be offered three months after the police cannot arrest the offender.

The overcrowding to settle discounted summons may seem like a good response in an annual sale but using the same gimmick regularly only perpetuates the cycle of anarchy on the roads.

Perhaps if the police provide facilities like on-line payment, more offenders will also settle their compound fines. Besides having so many officers having to attend during the “festive” period means that the traffic fiends have more chance to commit their mischief.