KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has lauded the government’s decision to review the Road Transport Act for stiffer penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) alcohol or drugs, but said it alone would not be effective without stringent enforcement.
He said enforcement with integrity should also be stepped up to drive home the message that the authorities are with the community in addressing this problem.
“Research by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) shows that 23 per cent of the road fatalities is caused by drink driving. With a drunk driver statistically many times more likely to cause an accident, it is not surprising that we frequently hear news of drunk driving fatalities,” he said in a statement, today.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said that the government is studying amending the penalty for motorists found guilty for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as for dangerous driving, causing death, with a fine of up to RM100,000.
Lim said besides the fine, the jail sentence for the offender will be increased to 20 years from the current 10 years.
Lee also calls Malaysian to be a caring society and have regard for others.
“Eat drink and be merry by all means but know and observe the limits. Let us be a caring society for a safer Malaysia. If we drink, we must not drive,” he added. – Bernama
