Settle summonses or you can't renew vehicle insurance

Those who do not pay up their traffic summonses will be barred from renewing their vehicle insurance.

The Internal Security Ministry is working with Bank Negara, the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), insurance companies and the relevant agencies to get the proposal going.

Deputy Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said that once the system was in place, insurance companies would be able to access a database which is linked to the JPJ.

“When someone from an insurance company types in a person’s name and identity card number, he will be able to tell whether that person has any outstanding summonses,” he told The Star.

“They (offenders) will not be allowed to renew their vehicle insurance until they pay their summonses. Only then, will their names be erased from the database.”

He said with this link-up, the ministry hoped to put a stop to the tactic used by some who put down a different address to avoid detection.

“Previously, we had to chase after errant offenders. In some cases, when we went to the addresses given, they could not be found. Others refused to pick up their summons letters from the post office,” he said.

“Some had moved, or used their kampung addresses even though they no longer live there,” he added.

Johari said the ministry planned to hit reckless drivers where it hurts the most – in their pockets.

The ministry, he said, was also in the process of formulating a system in which motorists with many summonses would have to pay increasingly higher insurance premiums.

“For example, those with 60 summonses will have to pay a higher premium compared to those with a few summonses.

“The move is to prevent people from being reckless on the road and piling up their tickets,” he said.

Unpaid summonses amounted to a few hundred million ringgit to date, he added.

There are about 10 million motorists in Malaysia. Last year, 6,188 people were killed on the roads, according to statistics by JPJ.

Johari said: “We are serious about the move. The proposal is now in its final stages and we hope to get it approved as soon as possible.”

On Sept 11, the Government announced that there would be no reduction in compounds for five serious traffic offences, namely speeding, overtaking on a double line, jumping queue, beating the traffic lights, and driving on the emergency lane as such actions posed a danger to other motorists.

Kurnia Insurance (M) Bhd chief executive officer Kong Shu Yin lauded the ministry's idea, saying it would educate the public to be more careful while on the road.

“The details need to be ironed out to ensure the system runs smoothly. I think the proposal will be accepted by the public and the insurance industry, as law abiding drivers will enjoy a lower premium compared with the 'bad' ones,” he said.

Insurance agent Ho Soon Sing, who has been driving for 24 years, hoped the proposal would lead to motorists becoming better drivers.