Don't smash blocking vehicles, police advise

KUALA LUMPUR: What do you do if you find your vehicle, which is parked legally, blocked by an inconsiderate driver who has double-parked behind/beside you?
Well, for starters, you cannot just smash into his car to get your vehicle out.
"I would like to remind motorists not to take the law into their own hands when they are faced with these types of incidents," Federal traffic police chief SAC Mahamad Akhir Darus told theSun.
"Instead, call our traffic officers or the local council to tow away the offending vehicle," he added.
He said those caught double-parking will be issued a summons that carries a RM300 fine.
Mahamad Akhir said the issue of double-parking is becoming serious in the Klang Valley with cars and delivery truck drivers double parking for their "convenience".
"Double parking restricts the view of pedestrians crossing the road, increasing their risk of being hit by vehicles.
"The law is that double parking is a no-go. just keep looking until you find a proper parking spot," he said.
"I understand the public's concern but a law is still a law," he added.
In the most recent case of road rage caused by double-parking, a lorry driver rammed his truck into 18 cars along a busy road in Nibong Tebal in Penang on Feb 21.
Netizens when interviewed, told theSun that people who choose to double park should make sure they are not blocking the path of other road users.
Relating his own experience in dealing with people who double park, Samuel Thomas, 28, said he does not think violent or angry behaviour is a solution for those affected by these inconsiderate drivers.
"I don't think anyone should go after the offenders. Of course they are at fault, but if you resort to violent action, then you are at fault too," he said.
Others interviewed by theSun said if a motorist had to double-park, then the least he could do was to place his contact number visibly on the dashboard so that he can be called to remove his vehicle.