Govt Tables Bill For Stricter Punishment To Deadly Road Accidents

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PARLIAMENT | The government has tabled a bill to amend the Road Transport Act, to enforce stricter punishment for reckless and drink driving that causes injury or death
The Act increases jail terms and fines across several sections, with repeat offenders facing even harsher punishments
For causing death via reckless driving, Section 41(1) of the Act will be amended to raise the minimum jail term to five years, up from two years previously. For repeat offenders, they can be jailed between 10 and 15 years
Fines under Section 41 have also been increased from RM20,000 to RM50,000 for first offenders, with subsequent convictions liable to fines of between RM50,000 and RM100,000
Licence revocation will also be increased from three years to five years
Meanwhile, for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol that causes harm, the bill expands Section 44 to include punishments for causing injury
The new Section 44(1A) states the those driving under the influence that causes injury can be jailed between seven and 10 years, and fined from RM30,000 to RM50,000 for first offenders
Repeat offenders can be jailed between 10 and 15 years and fined from RM50,000 to RM100,000
They will also lose their licence for at least seven years for the first offence, and 10 years for subsequent offences
Meanwhile, for those driving under the influence causing death, Section 44(1) will be amended to increase the punishment to between 10 and 15 years and fine from RM50,000 to RM100,000
Repeat offenders can be jailed between 15 and 20 years, and fined from RM100,000 to RM150,000
They will also not be allowed to drive for at least 10 years for the first offence, and a minimum of 20 years for repeat offenders
[More to follow] - Mkini

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