KUALA LUMPUR: Stiffer laws against those found to be driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol will serve to deter drink-driving and reduce the number of accidents and fatalities.
Road safety experts, who welcomed the government's proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), said legal action alone could not tackle the social problem. Well-rounded strategies were
required, particularly in areas such as enforcement and education.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) board member Professor Dr Wong Shaw Voon said three important elements of enforcement, dubbed the 3S (severe enforcement, sure and swift action), were necessary.
"Severe enforcement covers the need for increased police surveillance, especially at night,
that serves not only to catch violators, but to deter others from DUI."
The authorities also need to be sure the drivers detained were for DUI offences by using appropriate devices.
"For instance, police cannot be filing cases based on personal observation, such as sight or smell, as these are subjective. The latest equipment, such as properly calibrated breathalysers, must be used instead.
"Third, swift action is needed in the legal process so that cases are swiftly adjudicated by courts to prompt behavioural change among the public," he told the New Straits Times.
The former Miros director-
general said education and engineering solutions were also pertinent. He said this could be
done by encouraging pubs and bars to put up signs on safety-promoting habits and to watch for signs of intoxication among patrons.
He said pub owners could also work together with e-hailing services to ensure drinkers got home safely by arranging rides for them, while those drinking in groups could assign a sober driver from among them.
"We need to change the social norm of how we look at drinking and driving. We are moving in the right direction where the proposed amendments to the law seem sufficient for now. But, of course, we need to have them implemented."
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong on July 15 said those found guilty of DUI and reckless driving could face mandatory jail sentences, longer jail time, higher fines and a longer licence suspension period.
The proposed amendments would also see the tightening of the threshold of alcohol presence in an individual's blood, breath and urine.
Malaysia's current blood alcohol content (BAC) level stands at 35mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood or 107mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine.
These could be lowered to 22mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood or 67mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine.
National Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the proposed amendments were timely as cases of drink driving had increased of late, leading to road accidents and deaths of victims.
"DUI is a severe offence that warrants harsher punishments. Law enforcement is highly significant in tackling this," he said, adding that awareness campaigns and education should also be given due attention.
Lee, who is Alliance for Safe Community chairman, said besides the existing proposals, the government should consider making it mandatory for drunk drivers who cause fatal accidents to offer compensation to the victim's family to help with the latter's cost of living.
"The government should look into having offenders pay compensation or be held responsible for the welfare of the victim's family.
"What is going to happen if the victim is the breadwinner of the family? The offender must take care of the family's needs in such cases.
"If we can do this, then we can send a powerful message."