Mandatory jail term for reckless drivers might be enforced

In what is seen as a positive move towards curbing reckless drivers in Malaysia, the government is considering enforcing a mandatory jail term for drivers who drive recklessly on the roads which cause deaths. If the penalty is enforced,

it could well help to reduce road accidents and fatality rates, particularly during the festive seasons.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the Home Minister said this in response to the proposal by the Road Safety Council’s member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye where he said that the current situation is pushing the government to impose such a rule.

Lee is proposing that the jail term sentence be imposed after the 25th Ops Sikap which recorded an increase of 63% in traffic summonses as compared to the previous edition. Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, the Transport Minister said that should the rule be imposed there is no need for the Road Transport Act 1987 to be amended as it is already provided under the act. At the moment, any accidents that result in death due to reckless driving comes with a jail sentence although it is up to the judge to impose it. Hence, the call is to make this sentence mandatory. This would surely be a positive move as all other ways of deterring reckless driving have not brought about the right impact desired.