On 1 September 2018, the Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ, Jabatan Pengangkutan Malaysia) enforced the new Demerit system for motorists in Malaysia.
This enforcement comes after the government has taken over all operating AWAS camera through JPJ, according to their press release. There are about 45 AWAS cameras in total, with 29 cameras for detecting speeding offences and 16 cameras for detecting motorists who defy the red traffic light.
As of now, these cameras are placed in 47 locations in efforts to monitor the traffic and motorists in the designated areas. In a Facebook post, JPJ revealed that traffic offenders who commit an offence will be punished accordingly based on the demerit points that they have obtained.
Source: Malay Mail
That said, the demerit points will vary according to the types of vehicles – Private vehicles and Vehicles Carrying Goods & Buses. The points based on the type of vehicle are as shown below:
1. Private vehicles
- Defying the red traffic light – 4 points
- Speeding over 1km to 25km/hour – 2 points
- Speeding over 25km to 40km/hour – 3 points
- Speeding over 40km/hour – 4 points
2. Vehicles Carrying Goods & Buses
- Defying the red traffic light – 6 points
- Speeding over 1km to 25km/hour – 4 points
- Speeding over 25km to 40km/hour – 5 points
- Speeding over 40km/hour – 6 points
Source: Facebook
These demerit points will be accumulated until it reaches 20 points and only then motorists will be given a punishment. Following that, the punishments will be increased each time they collect a solid 20 points.
The punishments are as listed below:
- First time – Motorists will be given a warning
- Second time – License will be suspended for six to eight months
- Third time – License will be suspended for eight to 10 months
- Fourth time – License will be suspended for 10 months to one year
- Fifth time – License will be cancelled. Motorists must take another JPJ exam for a new license.
Yep, you will have to sit for the exam all over again.
Source: Malay Mail
The demerit punishment will be implemented when motorists pay their summonses, which is usually RM300, within 60 days after it’s issued. The traffic offenders will then be charged in court if they fail to settle the fine within the designated time.
They can also risk being blacklisted under Section 17(1D), 29(1A) and 119(B) of the Road Transport Act (1987), if they don’t turn up in court and the blacklist status will subsequently hinder the renewal process of their license. Yikes!
Source: Youtube
Perhaps, as motorists, we are ought to be a little more careful when driving on the roads and we shouldn’t defy the traffic rules as it can put us in serious trouble. After all, these rules are made to protect our safety and the safety of others while we’re on the road.
If you would like to know more about the Demerit System, you can head over to their website for more information. You can also follow JPJ on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates.
Stay safe and drive safe, guys!
Also read: Drivers Who Obtained Their License Through Rasuah Have 1 Month to Surrender to JPJ
