The Kedah road transport department (JPJ) has since November collected RM101,300 from 352 outstanding fines, some as far back as 2013, imposed upon foreign-registered vehicles, the New Straits Times reports.
Most were Thai tourist vans breaching International Circulation Permit (ICP) regulations, revealed Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam.
“The highest collection we have recorded so far from a single offender was RM17,700, with offences dating back to 2013. Many of these fines were unpaid for years. When we caught the offenders and checked their records, we demanded lump-sum payment before allowing them to return to their home country,” he said.
The ICP is a permit system that ensures foreign-registered vehicles comply with insurance and roadworthiness standards. Stien said JPJ faces challenges at the Kedah-Thailand land borders due to the lack of an automated Road Charges (RC) and Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system, which is implemented at the Johor-Singapore border.
“Once we issue summonses, it is difficult to track the offenders due to the manual record system. Unless we catch the offenders and check their records, it is challenging to recover unpaid fines,” he added.
On a separate note, Stien said Kedah JPJ inspected 10,656 vehicles, issued 1,864 summonses and impounded 15 vehicles during the Chinese New Year special operations from January 20-26.
“JPJ conducted checks at 19 depots and two main bus terminals during this special operation, focusing on nine major traffic offences identified as leading causes of road accidents, including fatalities.
“These offences include speeding, failing to obey traffic signals, overtaking on double lines, driving in the emergency lane, queue-cutting, using mobile phones while driving, failing to wear seat belts or helmets, heavy vehicles driving in the fast lane, and overloading,” he added.
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hope this is an ongoing thing and not once in a 10 years