Can Instalment-Based Payment Scheme Help Solve Unpaid Summonses?

A local road safety expert recently suggested that instalment-based payment scheme may be a viable solution towards unpaid and outstanding summonses and fines.

Yesterday, a report by local daily New Straits Time (NST) had quoted a local road safety expert who suggested that the government and relevant enforcement agencies should offer instalment-based payment option to resolve the problem of unpaid summonses.

Dr Law Teik Hua, head associate professor at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre, touts that allowing offending motorists to pay fines and summonses in manageable instalments will also directly tackle affordability issues towards which, especially amongst lower income groups – the ‘B40’.

“By providing standardised and widely announced instalment payments, we confront head-on the ability-to-pay issue,” argues Dr Law. He further added that such a method can convert an unaffordable large sum or amount into a manageable and consistent outlay too.

“This approach says: we understand your financial constraints and will help you pay, but the commitment remains non-negotiable,” continued Dr Law further. He also noted that such a system must be paired with firm enforcement, which may include automatic penalties such as road tax or licence renewal freeze for defaulters.

With unpaid summonses and fines, Dr Law further argues that the issue lies in enforcement. “If actual punishment is absent, no rational person, regardless of income level, would feel compelled to pay. It becomes a form of lottery, where only the unluckiest end up paying,” said Dr Law.

Govt enforcement agencies like JPJ reportedly have up to RM1.4 billion in unpaid and outstanding summonses and fines. Could instalment-based payments reduce this effectively?

Lastly, Dr Law also added that inconsistent enforcement further contributes to creating a culture and mindset where summonses and fines are seen as “optional”. Given that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) reportedly has up to RM1.4 billion in unpaid summonses and fines, this perhaps isn’t the worse suggestion yet.

Adding to this suggestion’s viability further is the fact that JPJ only reportedly collected just RM93.51 million in outstanding summonses and fines through their recent collection drive. Despite the department offering offending motorists a 50% discount through said drive, the amount collected is clearly meagre versus the total amount noted prior.

Despite the sound and valid arguments, Carz.com.my also recognises some concerns such as scheme may raise, notably on questions at how the department plans on setting eligible conditions in allowing offending motorists such a payment scheme.

What say you folks? Are you for or against this suggestion? Share your take in the comments below…