The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has revealed that 57 road users, especially motorcyclists in Penang were nabbed for failing to stop at red lights during a 3-day operation that ended on 16 February 2023. The operation, called Op Merah was conducted in two districts within the state, which are Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) and Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS) after the department received complaints and made surveillance in the areas.
As reported by BERNAMA, the Penang JPJ in a statement clarified that its Motorcycle Enforcement Unit will continue to carry out such operations from time to time. The statement further stressed,
“JPJ found that road users still had a low level of compliance and awareness, especially when it came to stopping at the red lights, thus ignoring the safety aspect that could lead to accidents with the risk of fatalities too,”
Apart from running red lights, JPJ Penang said that other offences that were prevalent include 22 cases of having no driving license, expired road tax, not wearing helmets and having no insurance coverage. Besides that, the department also conducted an enforcement operation on motorcycles at the Penang Bridge Toll Plaza in which it inspected 653 motorcycles.
From the inspections, JPJ Penang took action against 67 motorcyclists for various offences. Furthermore, 109 summonses and technical notices were issued for various offences such as having no driving licence, expired road tax, no insurance coverage, displaying fanciful registration number plates, no side mirrors and illegal modification of motorcycles.
So, what do you guys think of the stern action taken by JPJ Penang? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: M’sians Slam Islamist Party Sympathiser Who Criticised Recent Move to Digitalise Road Tax