COMMENT | Drink driving: Not about race, but prevention and stricter penalties

COMMENT | I vehemently condemn the irresponsible act of the driver who consumed alcohol and drugs, then drove in such a dangerous manner that resulted in a family scarred for life after losing their loved one – an innocent man, a father and husband.

Social media was ablaze with condemnation of what he had done, but it also scarily fringed on the race of the drunk driver, calling him derogatory names.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal called for the death penalty for drunk drivers who cause death. I strongly disagree with him, as this will not put an end to the irresponsibility of those who drink excessively and drive.

It is a failed theory and one that is very colonial in approach. As a lawmaker, he should back his calls with data, statistics and use international standards and best practices, not a knee-jerk reaction like this.

Looking at success stories in Europe, which is the largest consumer of beer, might help instead of proposing the death penalty alone for drink driving.

I agree with stiffer and harsher penalties, but that cannot be done without greater and regular enforcement, education and awareness, as well as infrastructure in place.

Higher fines with longer sentences will work after the crime is committed. The focus should also be on what can be done before the accident happens. Prevention is the key to reducing casualties and fatalities due to drink driving.

This man chose to hold his bottle of alcohol in one hand and his car keys in the other and must face the consequences of his actions, without prejudice, fear or favour.

Consider alcolocks

In countries like Sweden, Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Italy, Australia, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, alcohol interlocks or alcolocks are used for repeat offenders, requiring a clean breath sample before starting the vehicle.

In Italy, starting this year, a convicted drink-driving offender must install an alcolock in their vehicle – costing up to €2,000, which is about RM9,238 - for a period according to the court sentence.

In majority countries, immediate, administrative licence suspension is highly effective.

In France, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants operating at night are legally required to make alcohol breath tests (éthylotests) available to customers. These tests must clearly indicate the legal blood alcohol limits to remind patrons that exceeding them makes driving illegal.

France has also introduced the SAM designated driver campaign targeting drivers with the slogan "Celui qui conduit, c'est celui qui ne boit pas", which means “The one who drives is the one who doesn't drink".

Drink companies such as Pernod Ricard, an international brand for spirits and champagne, have teamed up with local authorities to promote this campaign in nightclubs and bars, identifying designated drivers with bracelets and offering them free non-alcoholic drinks.

The EU Road Safety Conference has supported practical steps to prevent someone from driving, such as keeping car keys, offering a place to stay or calling for a friend to step in.

The European Transport Safety Council, over 25 years from 1993 to 2018, has published seven initiatives to tackle drink-driving in the EU.

It includes lower blood alcohol concentration limits, sanctions, enforcement, alcohol interlocks, rehabilitation programmes, alcohol and work-related safety and education campaigns.

In other European countries, bartenders and pub owners hold on to the car keys of drunk drivers in a safe and call transport services for them to be sent home.

Drink responsibly

If one wants to exercise their right to drink alcohol, then one must also be tightly bound by a higher threshold of responsibility and accountability to not drive under the influence.

You cannot have your cake and eat it, risking your life and the lives of innocent people around you.

We must move beyond race and religion on the subject of alcohol abuse and drink driving. An innocent life lost is mourned by all of us, regardless of race or religion.

We share the grief of all families who have lost loved ones due to this morose behaviour, and we stand united in condemning those who choose to sit behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Malaysia must have a five or 10-year plan to tackle and fight drink driving, financial input from the government and stakeholders and for the community to work together to prevent alcohol abuse.

This is not a war on alcohol but one on drunk drivers. Law alone is not enough, no matter how strict or tight. Frequent and regular unannounced police checks are needed to weed out drunk drivers.

Body cameras must be mandatory for the police, traffic police and Road Transport Department officers to build a compelling case against these perpetrators if found to have flouted their urine, breath and blood tests for alcohol.

Help each other correctly

The public must support this, too. I have witnessed myself “announcements” made in WhatsApp groups alerting others that there are roadblocks and breathalyser tests on the road. How is this supposed to help combat the menace of drink driving?

Friends must also encourage others to take public transport if one of them is intoxicated. Companies that produce and sell spirits and beers have a significant role to play too in supporting government efforts, such as the Brewers of Europe and their positive role in combating the drink-driving pandemic.

The national plan must include all stakeholders so that a robust and realistic action plan can be developed.

This is a war against drink driving and not against any race or religion or alcohol itself.

KASTHURI PATTO is DAP international secretary and former Batu Kawan MP.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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