Harry Belafonte's letter "Driving is such a pain in Malaysia" (The Star, 23 Sept) certainly helps to ease the frustration and stress of some two to three million drivers who struggle their way daily to work and back in the Klang valley, that is home to some seven million people.

The desperate move by the Transport Ministry to amend the Road Transport Act, 1987 to rein in errant drivers on seven traffic offences with the retention of their driving licences for 14 days is, to the authorities, the last resort to force these drivers to toe the line.

As the Human Rights Commission and the Malaysian Society for Transparency and Integrity have both pointed out, for lack of evidence, the "offenders" will get away if they bring their case to court. They also pointed out that the problem is not due to lack of adequate traffic laws but inadequate enforcement or lack of manpower to enforce the laws to match the growing number of offenders.

So what is the solution? Not more laws surely, but better law enforcement. Yes, it's easier said than done. But efforts must still be made to arrest this chaotic traffic situation in the Klang Valley, which is deteriorating by the day.

We don't think anyone will disagree with us when we say that many of the present young generation who is causing the problem is a pampered lot and who loves to drive with a "one-up-on-you" attitude. To them, today may be the day to die and others who are innocent can go along with them if they don't mind!

In one word, it's incorrigible! And it is brought about by parental pampering, a by-product of a Malaysia which has been enjoying growing prosperity for over a generation or more.

There is no point in telling the whole word that we in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are living in a developed state when driving is such a pain.

Note:
The above article was jointed written by LCC & A S Toh. An edited version of the above was published in The Star on 30/09/05.