Income-Based Traffic Fines Will Promote Social Bias, Corruption

To address the issue of tailgating, which is a substantial contributor to traffic accidents in Malaysia, Wong Shaw Voon, Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, has pushed for a system of fines proportional to an offender's financial capacity.

In an interview with FMT, the road safety expert stated that the present fixed-penalty system does not have an equitable impact on all drivers.

A transport expert, Wan Agyl Wan Hassan acknowledged that tailgating is a dangerous driving behavior that must be stopped. However, he cautioned against tying traffic fines to an offender's income, stating that it would create a double standard and the impression of social inequality.


Wan Agyl argued that imposing heavier fines on certain individuals while others appear to be exempt from the law would foster resentment and breed corruption. This practice would create a sense of injustice, as those subjected to the larger fines would feel unfairly targeted.

“Biased enforcement is damaging. It undermines justice, erodes public trust and weakens law compliance. In fact, it seems like we are contradicting ourselves as the constitution states that all persons are equal before the law,” he says in a FMT report.



The founder of the transport think tank My Mobility Vision argues that income-based fines won't solve the issue of traffic violations. He instead believes that the existing laws under the Road Transport Act 1987, such as the Kejara demerit system, are sufficient to address the problem.

Wan Agyl stated that Finland's income-based fine system functions effectively due to their transparent income system and high trust in institutions. He emphasized that Malaysia lacks these elements, and suggested that enhancing enforcement of existing laws and the Kejara system would be more suitable than adopting income-based fines.


“Fair laws unite society. The aim should be consistent application of rules that apply to everyone, not punish some more because they earn more,” he added.