Existing road offence penalties not severe enough, laws to be reviewed – Transport Ministry

Existing road offence penalties not severe enough, laws to be reviewed – Transport Ministry

Following the recent shocking accident and other incidents on the road, mostly involving vehicles driving on the opposite side of the road, the Transport Ministry may push for stricter laws and more punishment for errant motorists, The Sun reports.

Deputy transport minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said existing penalties are not severe enough, in reference to the recent accident caused by a teenager who went on the wrong side of the North-South Expressway near Butterworth, killing one motorist. He said the ministry took note of the recommendations of various parties, including NGOs and the public, who want tougher laws.

“Few cases have already been reported, including last week’s Penang incident. The government is also worried of the increasing number of fatal accidents caused by drivers’ negligence,” he told reporters in Batu Pahat yesterday.

At present, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs which causes fatal accidents is a serious road offence and can be charged under Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 44(1) of the same act, which carries imprisonment from three to 10 years and a fine between RM8,000 and RM20,000.

Click to enlarge Kejara penalty details

“The ministry will review the existing laws, including the implementation of the Demerit Points System (Kejara) as well as enhancing the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) in a bid to reduce traffic accidents,” the deputy minister added.

Last week, the part-time model with an OKU card was charged with drug abuse having been tested positive for amphetamine. The offence, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, carries a maximum two-year jail sentence and RM5,000 fine. She pleaded not guilty.

She is also being investigated under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of drugs and causing the death of or injury to any person. That offence carries a jail sentence of three to 10 years and a fine of between RM8,000 and RM20,000.

Lately, we have noticed a spike in video recordings of “lawan arus” cars driving in the wrong direction. It’s either these crazy actions have become an unfortunate trend; or that it has been happening all the while, but more frequently caught on camera.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Bla bla bla on Mar 20, 2017 at 10:26 am

    All talk but no act. Our govt is the slowest in the world

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 2
    • The penalty is good enough but enforcement is lacking.

      Many idiots, especially motorcyclist still run the red light. Drivers park everywhere and block streets, especially near condos and apartments. And road hogs still drive like the their father paid for the roads.

      Enforce the law and go after the guilty and the problems will disappear.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 2
    • No Money no action

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Ah Kow on Mar 20, 2017 at 12:24 pm

      Enough with the laws, it is kind of useless in Malaysia.
      IMHO, better concentrate on how to make your law enforcers more enthusiastic in doing their job. That should do be sufficient.

      Gomen may implement the best laws in the universe, but if no one is enforcing it, what is the use?
      (It is like having owning a Bugatti but without tyres, no purpose eh)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 0
    • Patriot on Mar 20, 2017 at 12:28 pm

      Tak baik tuduh sesuka hati. We were severely understaff & low bajet

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 11
      • Sub_zero on Mar 22, 2017 at 3:22 pm

        Why not contribute then? Also the budget, where it goes? I know malaysian have millions off outstanding summon and even if they pay does it goes back to those deserving official on duty?

        Millions “spend” on the men in uniform yet they still low paid and their jobs sometimes doesn’t pay for their lives

        You using “Patriot” as nickname but you ain’t one

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Increase penalti nanti other pipu demo & plotes, just like…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • gentleman on Mar 20, 2017 at 10:34 am

    Gejala rempit amat merunsingkan ….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 0
    • Sub_zero on Mar 22, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Car driving on the wrong side kill people blame motorcyle

      Nice logic there

      * I do not condone rempit

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Sohai(ori) on Mar 20, 2017 at 10:53 am

    It is common to see motorcycles driving on the wrong side but recently cars seem to be joining the act..i have seen few drivers doing tis, all of them want to use short cut method even though sometimes the road barely wide for one car..authorities focus on speedsters but wat about these fools or those overtaking zigzagging dangerously we see many otr but they hardly caught..perhaps they can go undercover using dashcam to catch them

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0
    • Anything But P1, Greedy P2 on Mar 20, 2017 at 11:58 am

      They should encourage the public to install dash cams; hence lower down the insurance fees. That way people can record offences

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • N2lim on Mar 20, 2017 at 12:32 pm

      We have to find out the reason. why those driver need overtaking zigzagging. Those normal driver is drive a very low speed at fast lane and they are so selfish to avoid car behind to overtaking him and this is the main reason for the major highway jam all the time. If all the driver following the driving manner, driver no need drive in danger and accident can be easily be avoided.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  • Ape nih on Mar 20, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    Just use the summon record in judging who’s fault in a accident.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • aquila on Mar 20, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    What’s the point of increasing the penalties and giving discounts after that?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • They should enforce fines that are impossible to ignore. Driving with your phone in hand, fine RM100,000 (90% goes to charity, remainder 10% goes to gov administration and whoever in the gov dept needs their pocket filled which we don’t need to know) and phone confiscation with black list subscription for 6-12months, no new application permitted. See if any dumb@$$ would drive with their phones on anymore. People seem to not have a life without their phones that it is so important to have their phone in their face even while driving.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Dont talk so much la.. aes is basically useless..

    See the truck going wrong direction? And the police saw it? What did the police do? Nothing.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Uberian on Mar 21, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    I pernah nampak police car driving in the opposite direction on the road. I have it recorded on my dashcam. I am shocked that not only dumbass mat rempits do that but even policemen also do that.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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