KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 149 cases of drunk driving car accidents have been charged in court from January 2021 to September 2024, says the Home Affairs Minister.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that these cases are charged under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act 1987, where a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs has caused injury or death to another.
Under Section 44, he said that offenders of fatal drunk driving accidents can be imprisoned up to 15 years, with a minimum of 10 years behind bars, and a fine up to RM100,000, and not less than RM50,000.
If the drunk driving accident has caused injury, convicted offenders can spend jail time up to 10 years, with a minimum of seven years, and a fine up to RM50,000 and not less than RM30,000.
"For accidents caused by drunk drivers, the police are responsible for carrying out traffic enforcement and conducting investigations with transparency and fairness to all parties involved.
"This is to ensure that victims and their heirs receive appropriate consideration and that the guilty party is brought to court," he said.
Last week (Nov 16), two were killed after their motorcycle was run over by a vehicle driven by a 34-year-old man under the influence of alcohol in Johor Baru.
On Oct 29, a 28-year-old man who was drunk driving caused injury to an 11-year-old student in Port Dickson.
On Aug 12, a 23-year-old graduate was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and causing the death of two college students in Kuala Lumpur.
