GOMBAK: In a bid to take sterner action against motorists who use drugs, the Transport Ministry is looking into amending Section 45A of the Road Transport Act.
Its minister Anthony Loke said they hoped to table the proposed amendment together with the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) during the third Parliament session at the end of this year.
"Current laws in place are not stern enough on motorists who take drugs.
"We can only take action against them if they cause an accident but if they are simply caught under the influence of drugs currently we can only suspend their licence," he told reporters at a special joint operations on tour buses and public transportation at the Road Transport Department's Gombak Enforcement Station today.
"We have to prevent, stop and remove such drivers from our roads.
"Currently Section 45A stipulates that drivers who consume alcohol above the permitted limit could face up to two years jail even if they are not involved in an accident, but this is not used on drug addicts.
"This shows there is a loophole in the existing laws that needs to be addressed," he said, adding that he was of the opinion that driving under the influence of drugs was just as bad as driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said he would hold discussions with ministry officials and legal advisors on how to harmonise Section 45A to target drugs and alcohol.
"We hope to table the amendments for Act 333 during the third session of Parliament between October and November this year," he said.
Meanwhile Loke advised transport company operators to conduct more frequent drug screenings on their drivers.
"We will continue to conduct operations, but will not be able to screen every driver on the road which is why companies need to conduct more frequent screenings.
"They should conduct drug screenings every three weeks," he said, adding that these screenings could help prevent problematic drivers from using vehicles.