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Bells Toll For Wedding Convoys
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The days of wedding convoys whizzing by in Brunei Darussalam, particularly those that involve motorbikes, are numbered.

Under the new orders issued by the Registrar of Societies, motor associations can no longer provide convoy services to members of the public without getting permission from the police and Registrar of Societies.

Vehicles that are part of the convoy are also not allowed to use sirens or be driven with emergency lights switched on.

Offenders could be slapped with a $2,000 fine or jailed for one month.

This was highlighted by Ag SAC Sharifah Salmah binti Dato Syed Hussain Alkaff, who was speaking on behalf of the Registrar of Societies during a press conference at the Royal Brunei Police Force Public Relations Unit yesterday.

According to Ag SAC Sharifah Salmah, the new orders were introduced following

the publication of a comment on "Bikers accompany bridal motorcade" in the opinion page of the Borneo, Bulletin on December 12, 2007.

In the opinion item, the writer claimed that a motorcyclist passed by and ordered the writer to stop by the roadside to make way for "hundreds" of motorcycles escorting a wedding convoy along Jalan Kehangsaan Lama Highway.

Even motorists using the Mentiri roundabout were asked to stop and give way, the writer, added.

Public complaints regarding the matter published on the opinion page of the Borneo Bulletin also appeared on the Internet.

"Recently a number of incidents have been reported where the related associations have been found (to be) not obeying the traffic rules and regulations," Ag SAC Sharifah Salmah said.

In light of this, the Registrar of Societies has informed motor associations not to take matters into their own hands i.e. controlling traffic or telling other motorists to pull aside. They have also been reminded to obey the rules and regulations of the Traffic Act.

According to Ag SAC Sharifah Salmah, these steps were taken to ensure that such incidents do not occur along the roads in the Sultanate.

Motor associations have also been warned that their registration could be revoked if they fail to comply with the new laws.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Department of Investigation/Traffic, Snr Supt Metamit bin Hj Kanak, touched on some of the new powers given to the police.

Under Section 85 of the Traffic Act, Paragraph 68, a uniformed police personnel can at anytime ask a driver of any vehicle to stop their vehicle.

Furthermore, the driver will be required to provide a name, address or any other detail to the police.

Among other things, uniformed police personnel will also be allowed to make arrests, inspect or confiscate vehicles, and control traffic.

Meanwhile, Snr Supt Metamit revealed that there have been six fatal accidents involving motorbikes this year.

According to January to November 2007 figures, the number of collisions involving motorbike and vehicles was 27 (with two deaths), while there Were 30 self-accidents (with four deaths) involving motorbikes.

Motorcyclists are reminded to wear approved helmets at all times on the road, to wear suitable and safe clothing, and to be considerate of other road users.

Also present at yesterday's press conference was DSP Sharazuddin bin Hj Masri, the Acting Head of Public Relations Unit. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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