With all the drunk driving cases that had been covered in the news lately, we are pretty alarmed about how drunk drivers harm other people’s lives, and some end up killing innocent people. We can’t help but wonder if the punishment or penalty the drunk drivers receive is enough to justify their irresponsible crime?
A ray of hope arises when our government is studying amending the penalty for motorists who are found guilty driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It also includes drivers who are found driving dangerously and causing death. The suggested fine will be increased up to RM100,000, according to the New Straits Times.
Apart from implementing a hefty fine, Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng had also mentioned that the jail term for the offender will be increased from the current 10-year term to 20 years. He added that the current penalty is a jail sentence up to 10 years and a fine up to RM20,000, and the reason for this particular law amendment is because of the high number of deaths from road accidents.
“The government is looking at amending the penalty under Section 41 (of the Road Transport Act 1987) for those who cause accidents leading to death due to driving in a drunken state.”
There are at least 7,000 recorded fatal road accidents every year and Malaysia’s rate of fatal road accidents are unfortunately, among the highest in the world.
Drunk driving is absolutely cruel and irresponsible, and we cannot stress this enough. There are many e-hailing services available in Malaysia and it is only a click away to book a car ride. Please, do not drink and drive.
Also read: Drunk Driver Crashes Into A Car And Three Motorbikes, Killing One In Negeri Sembilan