“Safety on the road is not just about following rules, but about valuing lives.”
A 770GoodLaw
I believe many of us will readily support the Transport Ministry’s proposal to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 (RTA) to compel offenders who cause fatal accidents to pay compensation to victims’ families.
All too often, families of innocent victims of fatal accidents have to suffer great hardship because they had lost their breadwinners.
Indeed, I believe that few policy proposals in recent times would command as much public support as the recent ministry’s move. It is a long overdue step toward justice, accountability and, hopefully, deterrence.
For far too long, families of innocent victims have borne the devastating consequences of reckless and irresponsible driving.
The loss of a loved one is already unbearable and even more difficult is that the tragedy is usually compounded by financial hardship and emotional trauma that can linger for generations.
No amount of compensation can replace a life, but it can at least ease the burden and signal that society does not take such losses lightly.
The proposal by Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook to mandate compensation payments is therefore both timely and necessary.
It strengthens the principle that those who take lives through negligence or intoxication must be held fully accountable – not just through imprisonment and fines, but also through tangible restitution to the victims’ families.
Last Sunday’s fatal crash in Klang involving a driver allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a case in point. The innocent delivery rider who lost his life was a father, in his 30’s, with two young children.
Under existing provisions of the RTA, particularly Section 44, penalties for causing death while driving under the influence are already severe, with jail terms ranging from 10 to 15 years and hefty fines.
Repeat offenders face even harsher punishment. Yet, despite these measures, fatal accidents, especially those involving drunk or drug-impaired drivers, continue to occur with alarming frequency.
This raises a troubling question: are our laws sufficiently deterring offenders, or is enforcement falling short?
Statistics over the years have shown that a significant number of fatal road accidents in Malaysia involves alcohol or substance abuse. While the exact figures fluctuate annually, the trend is unmistakable – impaired driving remains a persistent and deadly problem.
Each case reflects not just a lapse in judgment, but a conscious decision to endanger lives. It is, in effect, a form of reckless disregard for human life.
Given this reality, calls for tougher measures are justified. Lifetime driving bans for those convicted of causing fatal accidents while intoxicated should be seriously considered.
Driving is a privilege, not a right. Those who abuse that privilege with fatal consequences forfeit their claim to ever be behind the wheel again. Anything less sends the wrong message.
Equally important is the need to strengthen enforcement. As rightly pointed out by former minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan in a recent report in Free Malaysia Today, stricter laws alone are insufficient without effective implementation.
High-speed cameras, frequent roadblocks, and a visible police presence must become the norm rather than the exception.
Random breathalyser and drug tests should be intensified, particularly during festive seasons when road traffic surges.
Malaysia’s road safety record remains a cause for concern. Despite improvements in infrastructure, including major highways, road fatalities continue to rank among the highest in the region.
The recent Hari Raya festive season, which should be a time of joy and reunion, often turns tragic. While reports sometimes circulate with exaggerated figures, even conservative estimates of fatalities during peak travel periods are deeply worrying.
Indeed, this is why the reminder by Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is so pertinent.
Following a tragic accident that claimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) officers last May, he urged Malaysians to prioritise safety and responsibility on the roads.
His message during the Gawai Dayak celebrations last year – “it is better to arrive late than never” – should resonate with every motorist.
Improved infrastructure, such as the Pan Borneo Highway, has made travel faster and more convenient, but it has also introduced new risks.
Smooth, wide roads can tempt drivers to speed, turning highways into dangerous racing tracks. Without a corresponding increase in discipline and enforcement, better roads alone will not translate into safer journeys.
There must be a cultural shift in how Malaysians view driving. Recklessness, speeding and driving under the influence should not be dismissed as minor infractions but recognised as potentially lethal actions.
The proposed amendment to compel compensation is a step in the right direction, but it should be part of a broader, more uncompromising approach. Lifetime bans, tougher sentencing, and relentless enforcement must complement it.
The message must be clear and unequivocal – those who choose to drive under the influence or engage in reckless behaviour will face consequences severe enough to match the gravity of their actions.
In the end, this is not merely about punishment. It is about valuing human life. Every statistic represents a son, daughter, parent or friend whose life was cut short. Every fatal accident leaves behind a void that can never be filled.
If getting tough on errant motorists can save even a single life, then it is not just justified. It is imperative.
In concluding, I feel compelled to reiterate this point. We must get tough with motorists who cause fatal accidents. Even banning them from driving for life is justified, as they
are a danger behind the wheel.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
