Stronger enforcement is needed to remove banned drivers from roads, say Malaysian road safety experts
by Anthony Lim · Paul Tan's Automotive NewsThe government’s proposal to impose tougher penalties on motorists caught driving with suspended or revoked licences has been welcomed by road safety and transport experts. However, they added that harsher punishments alone would not solve the problem, and have urged authorities to strengthen enforcement, improve inter-agency data sharing and invest in technology and driver rehabilitation, The Star reports.
They were commenting on the statement made by deputy transport minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, who said that motorists who continue to drive despite having their licences suspended or revoked may face up to three years’ imprisonment under the amendment to Section 32 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Aimed at increasing the existing penalties to encourage compliance with the law and reduce the risk of road accidents, Hasbi said the amendment would increase the maximum jail term from one year to three years, while the fine would be raised between RM3,000 and RM10,000.
Road Safety Marshal Club president K. Balasupramaniam welcomed the proposed amendments, saying stiffer penalties could help deter repeat offenders. “The increased penalties are good, but adding at least three strokes of the cane would create the added psychological fear of physical punishment, which could be more effective in some cases,” he said.
He also urged the government to expand corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to help those in the B40 group obtain driving licences, while stepping up enforcement against unlicensed student motorists.
Malaysian Public Transport Users Association (4PAM) president Ajit Johl also agreed with the move, saying that heavier penalties were due and necessary, but added they should be backed by stronger detection, prevention and rehabilitation measures.
He said the road transport department (JPJ) and police databases should be fully integrated so that officers conducting roadside inspections could immediately determine whether a driver was suspended, disqualified or had a revoked licence. “Automated number plate recognition technology could also be used more extensively to flag vehicles frequently associated with disqualified drivers during police roadblocks,” he said.
To improve the safety of other road users, including public transport passengers, Ajit said that motorists whose licences had been suspended should be required to undergo rehabilitation programmes before their driving privileges are reinstated.
Earlier this year, the transport ministry was reported to be considering making defensive driving courses mandatory for drivers with suspended licences or with traffic offence records.
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