Accidents involving drunk driving make up only a small percentage of all traffic collisions in Malaysia, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers have remained low, accounting for less than 0.5% of total cases since 2022.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday (31 October), Loke cited official government data showing that only 14 fatal accidents due to drunk driving were recorded in 2022, equivalent to 0.23% of the 6,080 fatal road accidents that year.
The number decreased to 13 cases (0.2%) out of 6,473 fatal accidents in 2023, while 2024 saw 12 cases (0.19%) from a total of 6,464 road deaths.
This year, the figure is even lower
āAs of June this year, only two cases were reported, equivalent to 0.06% of the 3,087 road deaths nationwide,ā Loke said.
Responding to a question from Wan Razali Wan Nor (PNāKuantan) via a written reply, Loke said legal action under the Road Transport Act 1987 will continue to be taken against offenders.
He also assured that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), is actively implementing road safety awareness and advocacy campaigns nationwide.
Various initiatives, including the SAFER Awareness Campaign and announcements through mass media and social media, have been carried out, with more than 600 awareness programmes organised to date.
āThe amendment to the Road Transport Act, which came into effect on 23 October 2020, stipulates stricter punishments for drunk driving offenders, including imprisonment of between 10 and 20 years, fines ranging from RM50,000 to RM150,000, and licence suspension of up to 20 years,ā he added.
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