Transport Ministry mulls stricter laws

BATU PAHAT: The Transport Ministry may introduce stricter laws on errant road users as a reminder to motorists that they are also responsible for ensuring that roads are safe for others.
Referring to the recent accident involving a teenager who sped the wrong way against traffic on the North-South Expressway (NSE) on March 14 near Butterworth, killing one motorist, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Ab Aziz Kaprawi said existing penalties are not severe enough to deal with such offences.
He said the ministry took note of the recommendations of various parties, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public, who want tougher laws to be introduced.
"Few cases have already been reported ... including last week's Penang incident. The government is also worried of the increasing number of fatal accidents caused by drivers' negligence," he told a press conference here today.
He added at the moment driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs which causes fatal accidents is a serious road offence and can be charged under Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 44(1) of the same act which carries imprisonment from three to 10 years and a fine between RM8,000 and RM20,000.
"The ministry will review the existing laws, including the implementation of the Demerit Points System (Kejara) as well as enhancing the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) in a bid to reduce traffic accidents," he added.
In the 7.50am incident on March 14, Ng Pei Ven allegedly made a U-turn at KM128 of the NSE when she claimed she saw a stalled lorry.
The U-turn resulted in her going against traffic flow and she grazed against three vehicles but continued driving. The drivers of the three vehicles suffered light injuries.
She continued to drive for some 5km against traffic before crashing into the car driven by Mohamad Fandi Rosli, 26, at KM134 of the NSE, killing him on the spot.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, police have said the investigation papers (IP) involving a 22-year-old driver, who killed a group of eight teenage cyclists in a horrific car accident in Johor is ready.
Johor Baru district police chief ACP Sulaiman Salleh said the IP has been handed over to the deputy public prosecutor's (DPP) office.
"So far, there has been no directive from the deputy public prosecutor's (DPP) office," he said.
The female driver, who had been previously released on police bail, is expected to be produced at the Johor Baru magistrate's court and would probably be charged with reckless driving leading to death.
In the Feb 18 incident, eight teenagers aged between 13 and 17 were killed and another eight were seriously injured when a car driven by the woman ploughed into the group of 30 to 40 cyclists at Jalan Lingkaran Dalam, Johor Baru at about 3am.