Stiffer traffic laws?

KUALA LUMPUR: Reckless motorists and repeat traffic offenders may not have it that easy once the government reviews the existing traffic laws to allow for stiffer penalties.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi said this move comes in the wake of public anger over the May 2 tragedy after two Perodua Myvi cars allegedly involved in a six-car street race hit and caused a Mitsubishi Pajero to flip over several times and killing three people including a six-month old baby along the Duta-Ulu Kelang (Duke) Highway.
Aziz said the Transport Ministry will be consulting all stakeholders to analyse the current traffic laws.
"The ministry is ready to review the current traffic laws.
"If it's too lenient or there are some loopholes which limit taking action against bad motorists for showing disregard to road safety, we shall amend (the traffic law) or add some new elements, if necessary," he said today.
Aziz was visiting Nur Firuza Amira, 7, and Nur Furiza Akila, 4, the siblings who became orphans after their parents Fairuz Nizam Hussain, Nova Safitri Azhari and younger sister Nur Firuza Annisa were killed in the crash.
The two Myvi drivers are being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving which could lead up to 10 years’ jail and a maximum RM20,000 fine upon conviction.
Last July, a labourer was sentenced to a four-year jail term, fined RM10,000 and a three-year driving suspension for killing four people at Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in September 2013.
He was charged under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
Aziz told theSun that he completely understands the public anger and promised that proper action would be taken against the guilty party.
When asked to comment of the allegation that the two Myvi drivers have eight and 11 outstanding traffic summonses, Aziz said: “We will investigate and if it's true, appropriate action will be taken, including suspension of driving licenses.”
He added that the government would expand the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) locations across the country other than the existing 14 locations, once the AES system is taken over by Boustead Holdings Berhad and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.
“The AES is necessary as eyes on the road, so that people will be mindful not to drive or ride recklessly like what we have seen in this Duke Highway tragedy,” he said.