KyO's NeWs - STuDenTs DRiVinG CaRs To ScHooL WiTHouT LiCenCe

~ BorNeO BuLLeTiN ~

~ 11/03/2011 ~

The Department of Investigation and Traffic Control has received complaints of school students without valid driving licences driving cars to their respective schools.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Pengiran Sulaiman bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad, Director of Investigation and Traffic Control, has called on parents to check and advise their children of the offence. "This is a serious offence and parents are urged to do their part by contacting the relevant authority on this issue," he said.

Pengiran Sulaiman also provided statistics of traffic summons and compounds at a press conference yesterday in Gadong. Also present were officers from Land Transport Department.

He said Traffic Police would take stern action on motorists who commit traffic offences like drunk driving, driving without licence, jumping red light and so on.

Motorists who do not wear safety belt, use tinted glass, make U-turn at no U-turn sign and motorcyclists who ride without helmets will be given warning letters and if they are found repeating the same offence, they will be issued with summons, he added.

Based on the Traffic Police statistics, 241 summons and 536 compounds were recorded at all police stations in the country in the month of January 2011 compared to 269 summons and 751 compounds in January 2010.

Among the summons offences are those found driving with expired road tax and without insurance, without driving licence, false registration plate and tinted windscreen, as well as other offences like bringing passengers without permits. The compound offences include leaving the car unattended with the engine running by the side of the road, not stopping when traffic lights turn red, U-turn at no U-turn zone, cars without windscreen wipers and other related offences.

According to Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, in order to reduce the number of road traffic offences the Traffic Police in collaboration with Land Transport Department will conduct a three-month-long road safety operation.

Meanwhile, he also urged truck, trailer and heavy vehicle drivers not to drive their vehicles during rush and peak hours, especially in the morning to avoid traffic congestion. They are advised to use traffic-prone roads before 6am or use the highway to avoid traffic jam.

Meanwhile, fishermen who use 4WD vehicles to tow trailers (boats) were told to seek advice from the Land Transport Department in order not to minimise offences.

Pengiran Sulaiman said, since the road operation began March 9, in about six hours a total of 12 compounds, 20 summons and 17 warning letters were issued to road offenders. The operation was held at Beribi and Kiulap roundabout areas.

In the same operation conducted at Muara-Tutong highway (Bukit Shahbandar), a total of 15 summons and six compounds were issued.

Yesterday between 10-11am, a total of 18 cases of speeding were recorded at Jalan Gadong/Jangsak areas.

During the operation conducted on March 8, from 2-4pm, a total of 22 cases of speeding were recorded and one compound was issued.

More operations will be conducted at commercial centre areas and Jerudong highway.