PETALING JAYA: A more integrated approach is necessary to ensure traffic offenders understand their responsibilities before returning to the road, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said that while the proposed increase in penalties under the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill is welcomed, it may not be enough to bring about long-term behavioural change.
He said there is a need to combine enforcement, education, rehabilitation and competency reassessment.
"Offenders whose licences have been suspended or revoked for serious traffic violations should be required to undergo a mandatory driving reassessment programme.
"These should include practical driving competency tests, hazard perception assessment, road safety knowledge evaluation and behavioural and attitude assessment," he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 22).
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Lee said these measures should form part of an integrated penalty framework and offenders should go through all the steps deemed necessary before any consideration is given to licence reinstatement.
On Tuesday (July 21), the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill containing the proposed increase in penalties was read for the second time in the Dewan Negara.
These amendments include three years' jail and a fine of up RM10,000 for those found guilty of operating vehicles while their licences are suspended or revoked.
Lee said some offenders may complete their punishment period but continue to exhibit the same risky behaviour.
"Continuing to drive despite (being penalised) shows a disregard not only for the law, but also for the safety and lives of other road users," he said, adding that a licence suspension period alone does not necessarily change unsafe driving attitudes.
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"Before being allowed back on the road, they should show that they have regained the required competency, awareness and responsibility as a driver."
Lee said the country needs to continue advancing towards the Safe System Approach and Vision Zero 2030, where preventing deaths and serious injuries becomes the shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including road users, enforcement agencies, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure providers and policymakers.
"The ultimate objective of stronger legislation should not only be to punish offenders, but to prevent repeat violations, improve driver behaviour, and create a safer road transport ecosystem.
"The success of this amendment should be measured by whether it reduces repeat offences, prevents serious crashes, and saves lives.
"Road safety is not about punishment alone; it is about ensuring that every driver on Malaysian roads has the competency, awareness, and responsibility to protect others," he stressed.
