| Azlan Othman |
DRIVING exceeding the specified speed limit, using mobile phones while driving, and failure to wear seat belts (or driver’s failure to ensure children wear seat belts) are among the most common offences committed on Brunei roads.
This was revealed recently by the Traffic Control and Investigation Department (JSKLL) of the Royal Brunei Police Force.
Other offences include driving without valid vehicle licence (road tax), driving without a valid driving licence, not stopping when traffic lights turns red and making U-turn at prohibited areas.
Drivers were also caught driving with worn-out or poor quality tyres, driving with excessive loads or dangerous items (for commercial vehicles), and having heavily tinted windscreens (or stickers and curtains) without approval.
The traffic police also highlighted the updated compound fine that took effect on February 2017. For instance, previously the compound fine was a flat rate of $50 for drivers who drove above the specified speed limit.
After the update, drivers who drive beyond the specified speed limit not exceeding 30km per hour, the fine for the first offence is $50 and subject to a $100 increment for subsequent offences.
In other words, if the road’s speed limit is 100km per hour and the driver was driving at a speed of 120km per hour, then the compound fine is $50 for the first offence.
For the second offence, it is $150, the third $250, the fourth $350 and so on until the maximum of $500 after which the driver can be brought to court for prosecution with a higher fine, upon conviction.
Another example is the compound fine for drivers who fail to switch on the front lamps of their vehicles between sunset and sunrise.
After the update, the fine is $200 for the first offence, while for the second offence it is $300, and the third $500.
For the fourth offence, drivers can be brought to court for prosecution with higher fines when convicted.
The traffic police added that once a compound payment is made, no court proceedings will be taken. But if the person fails to pay the compound, the court proceedings will take place and upon conviction, the sentence will be imposed.
The offender will pay a higher fine with the possibility of a driving license suspension subject to the fact of the case. One could also be issued with an arrest warrant and face imprisonment, if he or she fails to pay a court fine.
The police said payment shall be made within 14 days from the date of the offer to compound.
Currently, the compound fine is made in cash only to the police officer or person authorised to receive the payment.
Payment can be paid at the following places, namely the JSKLL Headquarters in Gadong, the JSKLL branch in Kuala Belait, and any police station as well as the Land Transport Department (JPD) Headquarters in Gadong.
Thirty-eight traffic offences have had their compound fines revised and these came into effect on February 1, 2017.
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