KUALA LUMPUR: The problem with road safety is lax enforcement and poor attitude of road users.

Association of Malaysian Driving Institutes president Datuk Hanafi Mat Zin said the present system was good but hampered by poor enforcement.

"This is especially so in the case of motorcyclists," he said.

Hanafi, while lauding the Road Transport Department's move to revamp the "P" licence system, said more attention needed to be paid to reduce the number of underage motorcyclists

The problem, he said, boiled down to the "don't-care" attitude of vehicle users, parents and society.
He said the "P" licence format was adequate, but suggested that drivers be tested again before being granted full licences.

However, the present format was favoured by drivers, especially those who hold "P" licences.

Writer Wong Pek Mei, 23, said the system should be continued as young drivers, often reckless, needed fear to keep them in line.

"A 'P' licence is fragile and the fear is always there that you might rack up demerit points.

"For example, if you use your mobile phone while driving, you lose 10 points.

"If you lose 15 points, you lose your licence, which means you can't afford to get caught using your mobile phone twice while driving."

Wong added that the minimum number of training hours required of drivers needed to be increased as people largely took the minimum, resulting in incompetent drivers.

Her view on the "P" licence was shared by executive K. Kanmani, 26.

"It does serve its purpose in curbing the 'enthusiasm' of cub drivers.

"However, I feel the two-year period is too long," she said.