KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, while lauding the government’s decision to review the Road Transport Act for stiffer penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, said that alone would not be effective without stringent enforcement.
He said enforcement with integrity should also be stepped up to drive home the message that the authorities were with the community in addressing this problem.
“The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research revealed that 23 per cent of road fatalities were caused by drink-driving.
“With a drunk driver significantly more likely to cause an accident, it is not surprising that we frequently hear news of drink-driving fatalities.”
On Saturday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said the government was considering amending the penalty for motorists found guilty for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, as well as for dangerous driving and causing death, with a fine hike of up to RM100,000.
Lim said besides the fine, the jail sentence for the offender would be increased to 20 years from the current 10 years.
Lee called on Malaysians to be a caring society and to have regard for others.
“Eat, drink and be merry by all means, but know and observe the limits.
“Let us be a caring society for a safer Malaysia. If we drink, we must not drive.” --Bernama