The next time you plan to get behind the wheel while high on alcohol or drugs, think again.

You could be facing much harsher penalties than the ones currently in force, if you are involved in a drunk driving accident.

The Malay Mail quoted Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong saying that the cabinet has approved in principle to amend Sections 41 to 45 of the Road Transport Act, which allows harsher punishments for those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

According to Wee, the Attorney General's Chambers has gone through the draft of the bill and the amendments are expected to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on July 17.

Under Section 44 of the amended act, first time offenders will be jailed up to 15 years for the first offence, and 20 years for the subsequent offence, compared to the current maximum jail term of 10 years.

The maximum fine amount will also be upped to RM100,000 for the first offence and RM150,000 for the following offence, from the current RM20,000.

Offenders also face the risk of having their driving licences suspended for 20 years - way more than the current 10 years.

Of late, there have been many occurrences of drunk driving causing road accidents, including fatal ones.

The frequency of such cases even caused the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to freeze the granting of new liquor licence applications, with immediate effect, last month.


Source: Malay Mail
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