Citing heavy penalties worldwide, MCA man urges zero tolerance for drink-driving
Citing heavy penalties worldwide, MCA's international communication and diplomacy bureau chairperson Dr Tee Ching Seng has lauded a plan by his party chief and Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong to toughen efforts to curb driving under the influence (DUI).
"Plans by the Ministry of Transport to table in Parliament, amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) to toughen efforts to curb driving under the influence (DUI) and impose stiffer penalties on irresponsible drivers who cause death by DUI are welcomed.
Citing heavy penalties worldwide, MCA's international communication and diplomacy bureau chairperson Dr Tee Ching Seng has lauded a plan by his party chief and Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong to toughen efforts to curb driving under the influence (DUI).
"Plans by the Ministry of Transport to table in Parliament, amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) to toughen efforts to curb driving under the influence (DUI) and impose stiffer penalties on irresponsible drivers who cause death by DUI are welcomed.
"It is hoped that these legislative amendments will reduce incidents of DUI in particular drink driving in this country," said Tee in a statement.
"Drink-driving and other forms of reckless driving endanger public order and the safety of other road users and can result in injuries and fatalities onto innocent people, and tear up countless families.
"Therefore, it is necessary for Malaysia to increase the relevant penalties and prison sentences to effectively reduce incidents of DUI," he added.
On Wednesday Wee said proposed amendments include doubling the punishment against drunk drivers who cause death to up to 20 years imprisonment and imposing mandatory jail sentences for drivers in charge of a motor vehicle while exceeding the alcohol limit.
Some of the proposed changes are:
i) Currently, Section 44 does not differentiate between causing death and causing injury. This will be differentiated in the amendment, with causing death seeing more severe punishment.
ii) The maximum punishment under Section 44 will be increased from 10 years imprisonment to 15 years and from a RM20,000 fine to RM100,000.
For a subsequent offence, the maximum imprisonment period is 20 years and RM150,000 fine.
iii) Currently, any person convicted under Section 44 is disqualified from holding a driving licence for five years for the first offence and 10 years for the subsequent offence. This will be increased to 20 years.
iv) Section 45A will be amended so that punishment will be mandatory against any person who drives, attempts to drive, or is in charge of a motor vehicle while the alcohol level in the person's breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed levels. The current punishment is up to a year in jail and a RM1,000 to RM6,000 fine for the first offence.
v) The prescribed blood alcohol content limit (BAC) of 0.08 percent will also be lowered, in line with the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendation. The alcohol limit in breath will be lowered from 35µg/100ml to 22µg/100ml while the limit in blood will be reduced from 80µg/100ml to 50µg/100ml and 107µg/100ml to 67µg/100ml in urine.
Tee said that tough penalties are in line with those imposed by other countries for driving under the influence of alcohol.
"Japan has a BAC limit of 0.03percent and offenders may face up to three years in jail and RM20,000 fine while Hong Kong law allows for offenders who cause fatalities to face up to 10 years in jail and a RM30,000 fine, and if the BAC is very high (>0.15 percent), jail time will be increased by 15 years."
"South Korea laws dictate that for first-time offenders and BAC over 0.02percent the penalty is between one to three years jail and RM18,000 - RM35,000 fine.
Tee said that in Germany the BAC limit is 0.05 percent, with penalties including fines and license suspension and if the incident results in public harm, imprisonment and compensation will be decided accordingly, with serious cases facing fines up to RM70,000.
"In France, if exhaled breaths contain alcohol concentration over 0.04percent, offenders will face a penalty of up to two years in jail and a RM20,000 fine, and in serious cases with fatalities, a sentence of up to five years in jail and RM36,000 fine.
"While in California, USA, offenders may face fines up to RM70,000 and 16 months jail," he said.
Tee said based on the laws in those countries and regions, cases of drunk driving are stringently handled.
"Drunk drivers are not only a menace to themselves, they are also a menace to society.
"In addition to legislation and enforcement, it is hoped that these amendments will remind the public to practise the adage of 'when you drink, don’t drive; when you drive, don’t drink'," he added.
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