KUALA LUMPUR: Social activist and Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has called for stricter measures to address the alarming number of motorcyclists running red lights.
While supporting the traffic police's proposal to make red-light violations non-compoundable, he warned against the potential strain this might place on the country's already overloaded judicial system.
In a statement to the New Straits Times today, Lee emphasised the importance of pairing enforcement with advocacy and road safety awareness campaigns.
He also suggested a creative approach to encourage compliance - rewarding law-abiding motorcyclists with recognition certificates or small gifts.
"Motorcyclists who obey traffic lights can be rewarded with certificates or small tokens of appreciation. This recognition could motivate others to follow suit," he said.
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, he said that running red lights has become a widespread problem, particularly among motorcyclists.
"On average, eight out of 10 motorcyclists ignore red lights, sending a dangerous message to younger riders. This behaviour is unacceptable and must be addressed before it becomes normalised," Lee said.
He also pointed to grim statistics, revealing that Malaysia records between 6,000 and 7,000 road fatalities annually, with motorcyclists accounting for about 70 per cent of these deaths. Many of these incidents, he said, are linked to speeding and traffic violations.
"Making red-light violations non-compoundable is a step in the right direction, but the courts must be prepared to handle the potential surge in cases. At the same time, we need to prioritise continuous awareness campaigns to change public attitudes," he said.
He proposed intensive education initiatives to underscore the dangers of running red lights, paired with robust enforcement to ensure compliance.
"This is not just about enforcement, it's about saving lives. We must prioritise safety awareness and strengthen enforcement to make our roads safer for everyone," he added.