Traffic fines are usually an inconvenience that we don’t like to deal with, and most of the time we would either drag our feet in paying it or worse still, totally forget about it entirely.
As a result of this, millions of unpaid traffic fines amounting to huge sums of money have since accumulated over several decades, as revealed by a top police officer.
RM4bil worth of traffic fines still unpaid since 1990
As reported by Utusan, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Sri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri revealed a startling figure regarding the amount of unpaid traffic fine spanning decades ago.
According to him, a total of 40,962,240 traffic fines from 1990 until June of this year still remain unpaid, bringing its total value to a whopping RM4 billion.
Out of the 41 million fines, 51,128 fines, valued at approximately RM5.1 million, were issued to foreigners from neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand.
He also added that Singaporeans were found to be the top offenders, where 35,011 fines totalling an estimated RM3.5 million have yet to be settled.
Whenever one fails to settle an outstanding fine, the department will issue notifications to inform them. If they fail to pay, they may be blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
“There are a total of six offences under the blacklist, such as running red lights, driving in emergency lanes, overtaking on double lines, using communication devices while driving, queue jumping, and speeding,” he said.
Online payment available
Commenting further, Mohd Yusri added that traffic offenders can pay their fine online via MyBayar, eliminating the need to do so at a police station.
“If the offender is a foreigner, police will step up efforts to address unpaid fines when they enter or leave the country.
“While discounts for overdue fines are offered selectively and based on agency requests, a 50% discount is automatically available within a month, as stated on the fine notice,” he said.
Mohd Yusri also noted that thanks to such promotions, police have recouped hundreds of millions of Ringgit as a result.
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