GOMBAK: The government wants to amend existing laws so those driving under the influence of drugs receive punishment on par with drink driving offences, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
The Transport Minister said the proposal will be tabled during the third Parliament session in October after further discussions with ministry officials and relevant departments.
He said the existing law against the offence of driving under the influence of drugs is not as strict and should be punished similarly to the offence of drunk driving under the same section which provides for a maximum penalty of a fine of RM10,000 and two-year imprisonment.
"For drivers who take drugs, we can only prosecute them if they cause road accidents," said Loke, adding that they can only suspend their licences in such incidents but cannot be prosecuted.
He said this at a press conference for the special operations for Tourism Vehicles and Public Service Vehicles (Tourist and Express Buses) at the Road Transport Department's Gombak Enforcement Station in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Aug 6).
He said the matter needs to be reviewed because it is not appropriate to wait until an accident occurs before strict action is taken against drug-using drivers.
"Such drivers should be taken out of the road system," he said.
He also said that a five-day special operation which started on Aug 1 recorded a total of 21 out of 276 commercial vehicle drivers who tested positive for drugs.
"This means that one in 13 drivers are under the influence of drugs.This is a very worrying situation," he said. – Bernama
