By Ravinder Singh
Penang traffic policemen in two patrol cars had a field day at 1.40pm today (May 11, 2016) issuing summonses to about 30 cars parked along both sides of Jalan Midlands, Pulau Tikus, Penang.
This is not a busy thoroughfare but a road serving a residential area. Even though cars are parked on both sides, they do not cause any obstruction to traffic flow.
They consist of small vehicles, mainly cars.
I do not condone any traffic offences by motorists, but in this case, I’m wondering about the summons-issuing spree. There are no yellow lines prohibiting parking. There is no “No Parking” road sign anywhere along the road.
Compared to whatever offence these motorists have committed for parking their vehicles along this road, there are other motorists who really cause obstruction to traffic flow by double parking, who endanger motorists with their reckless and dangerous driving or manoeuvres, who drive with one hand holding a phone and who beat the traffic lights.
Which should be priority – those who commit traffic offences that obstruct traffic flow and endanger other road users and cause accidents, resulting in injuries and death, or those who park their vehicles in residential places like Jalan Midlands, which does not endanger the lives of others?
With the issuing of so many summonses in an operation like today’s, the traffic policemen would, to their bosses, appear to be doing a good job.
What was the real intention of this operation – to make the roads in Penang safer and reduce accidents and casualties, or to make money through the fines?
Priorities must be set right. Could the chief of the traffic police please enlighten us how this afternoon’s operation contributed to making Penang roads safer?
Ravinder Singh is an FMT reader.
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