KUCHING, July 27: Higher fines, longer imprisonment and potential disqualification of driving licenses await those who are convicted of reckless driving that caused death to members of the public.
According to national daily The Star, a person who were to be convicted of dangerous driving could be fined a maximum of RM50,000 or face imprisonment up to 10 years.
It said those were the measures proposed by the Transport Ministry under the proposed amendments to the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020 tabled by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong for the first reading at the Parliament today.
It said the Bill proposed that those charged under Section 41 with dangerous or careless driving can face between five and 10 years as well as a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM50,000.
For second or subsequent conviction, it added a person can face a 10 to 15 year jail term and a maximum fine of RM100,000, should the Bill be passed.
It asserted that those who cause deaths due to dangerous or reckless driving will also have their driving licenses disqualified for five years.
The daily noted that at present, Section 41 of the Road Transport Act defined that those guilty of the offence face between two and 10 years in prison and a fine of between RM5,000 and RM20,000
For the proposed amendment, it said those who are convicted of reckless driving can also have their driving licenses disqualified for a period of five years, instead of the current two-year period.
Besides, it noted the amendment proposed that those charged under Section 43 for reckless driving can face a fine of between RM5,000 and RM10,000, as well as the possibility of being jailed for not more than 12 months for the first offence.
It added an individual will be fined between RM10,000 and RM15,000, and be jailed for not more than 12 months for second or subsequent convictions.
It said the Bill also proposed that anyone who drives a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, liquor or drugs and to an extent of being incapable of having proper control over the vehicle, or has alcohol content exceeding the limit, which can cause the death of anyone can also be severely penalised for breaching the law.
Under a proposed amendment in Section 44, it said anyone guilty of the offence can be jailed for 10 to 15 years and fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000.
The daily noted that those convicted under this section will also be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 10 years from the date of conviction.
For second or subsequent conviction, it said the individual can face a jail term of between 15 and 20 years, and a fine between RM100,000 and RM150,000.
It noted those who drive a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, liquor or drugs and to an extent of being incapable of having proper control over the vehicle, or have alcohol content exceeding the limit that can cause injury to anyone, will also be subjected to punishment by the authorities.
The daily said they shall be liable for imprisonment of between seven and 10 years and a fine of between RM30,000 and RM50,000.
For second or subsequent conviction, it added that an individual can be jailed between 10 and 15 years, and a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000.
It noted a person convicted under this section can also be disqualified from holding or obtaining their driving licence for not less than seven years from the date of conviction.
Furthermore, it noted the Bill proposed to amend Section 45B and Section 45 C to increase the punishment and disqualification period for offences related to failure to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for offences committed under Section 44,45 or 45 A of the Act. —DayakDaily
