KUALA LUMPUR: Cases of reckless and dangerous driving have increased by nearly 50% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
The increase reflects a worrying trend of aggressive driving, which could lead to road bullying or road rage incidents.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Datuk Seri Muhammed Hasbullah Ali said 1,278 investigation papers were opened from Jan 1 to June 28 this year, compared to 852 cases in the same period last year, an increase of 426 cases.
Johor recorded the highest number of cases this year with 354, followed by Kuala Lumpur (230), Selangor (200), Negeri Sembilan (119), Kelantan (84), Perak (60), Terengganu (49), Sarawak (44), Melaka (37), Kedah (33), Penang (27), Pahang (24), Sabah (15) and Perlis (2).
Compared to the same period last year, Johor also recorded the highest increase with 175 cases, followed by Selangor (+117), Kuala Lumpur (+74), Negeri Sembilan (+56), Terengganu (+26), Perak (+20), Sarawak (+11), Kedah (+8) and Pahang (+3), while Kelantan remained unchanged at 84 cases. Penang, Sabah, Perlis and Melaka recorded declines.
"The main causes of road bullying include non-compliance with traffic rules and signals, aggressive driving such as dangerous overtaking, cutting in, tailgating and failure to give way,” he told Bernama recently.
Other contributing factors include provocation between road users through excessive horn use, hand gestures or verbal disputes, as well as impatience and a lack of courtesy on the road
Responding to claims on social media that some drivers use vape laced with drugs while driving, he said the police acknowledged a trend involving vape products mixed with psychoactive substances or synthetic drugs.
He said enforcement efforts are being strengthened, including proposals to use saliva test kits and mandatory urine screening for commercial vehicle drivers involved in road accidents to detect drug influence.
Muhammed Hasbullah said PDRM takes firm action against road rage incidents, where offenders may be arrested and charged if the case involves threats, fights, property damage or injury.
He said reckless and dangerous driving under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of RM5,000 to RM15,000 upon conviction.
He added that existing laws are sufficient to address road rage, with additional action also taken under the Penal Code depending on the offence.
These include Section 323 (causing hurt), Sections 324 or 326 (causing hurt using weapons or dangerous means), Section 341 (wrongful restraint), Section 427 (mischief or property damage), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation).
On viral road rage videos, he said swift police action is important to show that all complaints are taken seriously and to strengthen public confidence in enforcement.
However, he said viral videos are only initial information, and each case is investigated professionally using CCTV footage, dashcam recordings, witness statements and digital forensic evidence before action is taken.
He stressed that swift and consistent enforcement acts as a deterrent, while the public is encouraged to cooperate by submitting dashcam or CCTV footage when witnessing offences.
Bernama previously reported that aggressive driving has increasingly drawn public attention, with incidents frequently going viral on social media, prompting calls for stronger enforcement and awareness efforts. - Bernama
