The police ought to be congratulated for initiating a pilot project starting Jan 21 allowing drivers and motorcyclists involved in minor accidents on the North-South Expressway between Sungai Besi and Seremban to make police reports at the scene of accident.

A mobile highway investigative unit with traffic investigating officer (IO) should arrive shortly at the scene after calling the emergency line or 999, and providing relevant information.

Those who have previously made reports at traffic police stations would fully appreciate the convenience accorded by this new facility.

In many larger towns and cities, those from outstation would normally head towards the police headquarters, only to be told the traffic police branch is at another location.

Also, such police reports can be lodged anytime within 24 hours but by the time the report was made, the IO in charge may be on a 24-hour break, and one has to return to the police station when he resumes duty.

The party at fault is likely to get a summons, which can be compounded if no one was injured in the accident.

If two parties chose to make on-the-scene report, the party at fault may still be heading to the police station later to have the summons settled.

But it would be a great convenience for the innocent party and I should know, having made many trips to the police station after reckless motorists crashed into my car, first to make a report, then to meet the IO and later to pick up the sketch of accident site needed for own damage claim.

I would recommend those involved in very minor accidents to make private settlement. For example, it is better to accept a RM200 compensation than nothing at all if the other party chose to make a police report.

For the party in the wrong, the RM200 is cheaper than the maximum RM300 compound fine and possible demerit points under the Kejara system, apart from the inconvenience of making several trips to the traffic police station.

Settling swiftly and clearing from the scene of accident would also prevent traffic built up as other motorists normally slow down to watch, which is the only minus point for this new on-the-scene police report facility.