Loke: Govt considering tougher penalties for hit-and-run drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review whether penalties for hit-and-run offences should be strengthened, while maintaining that enforcement against drink-driving and drug-impaired driving remains a priority.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry would examine existing policies to determine whether tougher penalties were needed for motorists who fled accident scenes.
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“Hit-and-run incidents are also an issue that requires our attention.
“In terms of strengthening the law, we will review whether the existing penalties for hit-and-run offences need to be tightened further,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya), who raised concerns about hit-and-run incidents, particularly in isolated areas where victims might not receive immediate assistance.
Loke said motorists were being encouraged to install dashboard cameras (dashcams) to provide evidence that could assist police investigations.
“We are encouraging the installation of dashcams because they are very helpful in providing evidence in accident cases.
“Although we have not made dashcams compulsory, they can assist police investigations, including in hit-and-run cases, by providing evidence of what happened,” he said.
On drink-driving, Loke rejected suggestions that the government had neglected enforcement against motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“It is not true to say that we are not focusing on drink-driving.
“Enforcement against drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs is one of the government’s priorities, as I have stated several times in this House.
“We have also amended the law concerning driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” he said.
Loke said the government was also developing measures to ensure that motorists responsible for such offences compensated their victims.
“We are also working on measures to ensure that drivers responsible pay compensation to victims.
“This would send a strong and firm message to those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs that they must be more responsible and stop such behaviour,” he said.
He said enforcement would be more targeted, particularly at weekends, with greater coordination between the police and the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
“Enforcement of the Road Transport Act is not carried out by JPJ alone. The police also enforce the Act.
“Enforcement will be more targeted, with greater focus on weekends, and we encourage more integrated action against drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” he said.