The problem of heavily tinted windscreens and windows on vehicles should
be addressed at the source instead of a nationwide Ops Gelap crackdown
Media Statement
by John Chung
(Petaling Jaya, Thursday):
Last week, the Road Transport Department (RTD) issued a stern warning to all
motorists to remove heavily tinted windscreens and windows on their vehicles
failing which a maximum fine of RM300 will be slapped on them.
It was further announced that a nationwide operation codenamed Ops Gelap
involving 1,400 RTD officers and hundreds of police personnel would be
launched to detect all vehicles with heavy tint.
The issue that arises is whether there is a need to conduct an operation of
such a magnitude which requires extensive mobilization of precious manpower.
What the government should do is to resolve the problem of heavy tint on
vehicles at the source by ensuring that manufacturers and car accessory
shops that produce and retail window and windscreen tint comply with the
requirement under the law. If this is done, there would also be no need for
motorists to insist on a certificate of compliance from car accessory shops
for the tint on their vehicles.
In fact, it would not be fair to impose the burden of responsibility on
motorists to ensure that the tint on their vehicles meet the requirements of
the law. Instead, motorists can be spared such inconvenience if steps can be
taken by the authorities to ensure that the tint available in the market is
within the permitted degree of light penetration.
The RTD should also not interpret the law too strictly where heavily tinted
vehicles are concerned. As we are all aware, Malaysia is a hot country and
that is why many motorists choose to tint their vehicles to shield
themselves from excessive heat when driving during the day. Besides, it has
not been proven that heavy tint on vehicles would cause road accidents. Most
accidents occur because of the carelessness and the reckless attitude of
motorists.
Hence, it would be more prudent on the part of the authorities to resolve
the problem of heavily tinted vehicles at the source rather than embarking
on a large scale crackdown to avoid wastage of valuable human resources. RTD
officers and police personnel can certainly be better utilized by mobilizing
them to educate drivers on safety driving and to tackle the increasing crime
rate respectively.
(14/11/2002)
* John Chung,
DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary
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