THE government will propose stricter penalties for those found driving under the influence of drugs even if they are not involved in any accident.
According to reports in Bernama, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said amendments to Section 45A of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) will be tabled during the third parliamentary session in October.
“This will be done following discussions with officials from the ministry and relevant departments and agencies.
“Existing laws against the offence of driving under the influence of drugs are less strict and should be punished like the offence of drunk driving under the same section which provides for a maximum penalty of a fine of RM10,000 and two-year imprisonment.
“Currently, drivers who take drugs can only be prosecuted if they cause road accidents.
“For those found driving under the influence of drugs but do not cause an accident, we can only have their licences suspended and (they) cannot be prosecuted,” he told a press conference after a special operation for Tourism Vehicles and Public Service Vehicles at the Road Transport Department’s Gombak enforcement station in Kuala Lumpur today.
Loke said this matter needs to be reviewed – not wait until an accident occurs before strict action is taken against drug-using drivers.
“Such drivers should be taken out of the road system,” he said.
On the five-day special operation from August 1, he said a total of 21 drivers tested positive for drugs as a result of urine screening of 276 commercial vehicle drivers.
“This means that out of 13 drivers, one driver is driving under the influence of drugs when carrying out their duties and this is a very worrying situation,” he added. – August 6, 2024
