JPJ officers patrol our roads and set up road blocks as well, however a traffic police can arrest you, like  a regular police. Didn’t know you could get intro trouble with these friendlier species of policemen? Here are five things that could land you in trouble with them!

1. Not carrying your car’s certificate of insurance with you

 It is a well-known fact that you must carry your driver’s license with you at all times when on the road. Did you know, that you should also have your vehicle’s certificate of insurance within reach while driving? This law is contained in Section 58 of the Road Transport Act 1987, and is illustrated as follows:
Section 58(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 - Duty to produce driving license and certificate of insurance:
“Any person in charge of a motor vehicle on a road shall, on being so required by any police officer, any traffic warden or any road transport officer, produce the certificate of insurance issued in respect of the vehicle under section 90:”
Section 58(3) further goes on to explain that:
“If any person fails to comply with this section, he shall be guilty of an offence”

2. Driving with large objects or children on your lap
If you are one to carry your bag in your lap while you drive, or worse still, allow your children to sit on your lap, you may want to get rid of these habits soon.
They are both incredibly dangerous – and incredibly illegal.
The Road Transport Act 1987 says :
Section 47 of the Road Transport Act 1987 - Riding on running boards and obstruction of driver
“If any person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle causes or permits any person to be carried on the running board, or otherwise than within the body of the vehicle, or causes or permits any person to stand or to sit, or anything to be placed or to be carried, in a motor vehicle in such a manner or in such a position as to hamper the driver in his control of the vehicle, or as to cause danger to other persons using the road, he shall be guilty of an offence.”
When driving, our legs and bodies should be free and not weighed down by anything with substantial weight or size, as this allows for quick reactions, especially in sudden circumstances – like hitting your brakes to avoid crashing into a car that suddenly swerves into your path on a road.

3. Not wearing your seat-belt when sitting in a rear seat
Wearing your seat belt while occupying the back seat may seem like a kiasu thing to do, but it is legally required! This may be a fairly familiar law to some, but others may need a friendly reminder.
According to Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), drivers of cars will be fined if they have no rear safety seat-belts installed, and if a passenger who is sitting in a rear seat does not use his or her seat-belt, he or she will be fined instead.

4. Not declaring your change of address
It is exciting to move to a new residence, but please do not forget to inform the traffic authorities of any changes to the address that is connected to your vehicle ownership and driver’s license.
Failure to do so within a period of two months from the time of that change could get you into a great deal of hot soup, as emphasized in the following section of the Road Transport Act 1987:
Section 58A(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 - Change of address:
“Every registered owner of a motor vehicle or holder of a driving licence who changes his address in Malaysia shall, within two months of such change, serve on the Director a written notice of the change of address.”
This change can be done through your local post office, or by visiting the JPJ branch that is nearest to you.
So, as soon as you have moved into a new establishment or home, make registering your new address with the traffic authorities as much of a priority as sorting out your electricity and WiFi supplies.

5. Installing flashing lights on your car
Seeing your name in flashing lights can be wonderfully blissful experience. Having flashing lights installed on your car? Not so much.
The Road Transport Act 1987 explains that when modifications are made to a car, they must be of a legal nature. In the event that they aren’t, they may be called in for inspection and review before further action is taken against the offender:
The JPJ website states that installing any form of flashing lights on your vehicle – aside from those used for turning signals – is an illegal modification, and will be considered an offence:
As such, it’s perfectly fine to want to change bits and pieces of your personal chariot with the aim of making it unique to you. Just remember not to break any rules - or be too flashy, in this case!
For more travel and care related reads, stay tune to RAAGA this week!