PUTRAJAYA - The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has now begun a review and revision of several sections under the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 [Act 333] to allow drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs to be subject to heavier penalties.
JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said JPJ, through its legal division, had begun a review and further study of two sections, namely Section 44 and Section 45 of APJ 1987.
He said the process was carried out first before it was brought to the attention of Transport Minister Anthony Loke and the Transport Ministry (MOT) for any decision.
"The Transport Minister has ordered the MOT and also the JPJ to review Section 44 and Section 45 under APJ.
"This is so that we can impose tougher and more decisive action on offenders involving drivers who are Driving Under the Influence (DUI), that is, drunk or drugged, so that we can impose heavier action,” he said.
Meeting reporters after a JPJ assembly here today, he said the JPJ would mobilise a more aggressive advocacy programme to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
"We will make preparations for more aggressive advocacy to combat drunk drivers on the road,” he said.
Regarding the proposal to establish a special court for major and serious accident cases, Aedy Fadly said the JPJ welcomed the proposal which could increase public awareness of road safety aspects.
"We welcome the decision to establish a separate court, but we understand that it will involve several implications, namely financial, manpower and so on.
"But if there is a government decision to establish a special court, we will very much welcome it,” he said.
Last Monday, Loke said his ministry was drafting further amendments to Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987 [Act 333], including mandating compensation to the victim’s family.
On March 29, a motorcyclist died in an accident on Jalan Raya Barat, Klang, while two days later another incident on Jalan Pintasan Kajang-Semenyih left six individuals including a child injured involved drunk drivers. - BERNAMA