A CONSUMER group has called on the Road Transport Department to act firmly against vehicle owners who had allowed unlicensed drivers to drive their vehicles.

In a statement, Consumer Association of Penang education officer N. V Subbarow said having 55,000 unlicensed drivers was “shocking and frightening.”

“The authorities must immediately revoke the driving licenses of these vehicle’s owners and should not renew their road tax for a year,” he said in a statement today.

He said parents who allowed their unlicensed children to drive should be brought to court.

“We need a very strict law and only that will teach vehicle owners a lesson,

“If the authorities don’t take action immediately regarding unlicensed individuals, accidents rates will definitely go up,” said Subbarow.

Road Transport Department (RTD) deputy director-general (Planning and Operations) Aedy Fadly Ramli said a total of 55,000 vehicle owners were found to be unlicensed, that drove their vehicles illegally from January to May this year.

“Most of the offences involved family members, especially parents who allowed their children, including minors, to drive without a licence for various excuses,”he said. – Bernama, June 26, 2022.