RECENTLY, my colleague had a collision in Kuala Lumpur.

All motorists know that when they are involved in an accident, a police report must be made within 24 hours of the accident for the purpose of insurance claims.

Since my colleague and the other driver did not want to make any claims from their insurance companies, they agreed not to lodge police reports.

But 23 hours later, my colleague received a call from a certain police station that a report on the accident had been lodged against him. He was told that he had less than an hour to do so likewise, or a warrant of arrest would be issued for his failure to lodge a report. He did what he was told and was thankful that the police called him.

Since then, I have been asking myself whether it was the police’s standard operating procedure (SOP) to inform motorists within the stipulated time frame if one party to an accident has failed to lodge a police report.

Was the SOP introduced recently or was it in existence for some time?

In either case, I must say bravo to the police for reminding the parties concerned to lodge a police report.

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – October 29, 2008