Road Transport Act To Be Amended To Compel Compensation From Drunk Drivers - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The government has agreed to amend the Road Transport Act 1987 to compel drivers who cause accidents while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that as of August this year, 28 fatal cases were recorded involving drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs.

He said the tragedy on the eve of the last National Day, which claimed four lives - including a husband, wife, and their young child on the East Coast Expressway 1 in Temerloh - was deeply heartbreaking.

"A telematics system will be made mandatory for commercial vehicles to monitor speed, location, and risky driving patterns, including integration with alcohol detection devices before drivers start their journeys.

"Voluntary implementation will run until 2027 while the government develops a driver database for enforcement purposes," he said when tabling Budget 2027, themed "Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Ground", in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar said the Social Security Organisation (Socso) would also provide health screening vouchers for commercial vehicle drivers to detect health risks that could impair driving ability.

On a related matter, the Prime Minister said RM2.5 billion had been allocated to maintain Federal Roads, including nearly RM800 million specifically for G1 to G4 contractors.

He said the allocation to expedite small-scale projects such as pothole repairs had been increased to RM40 million, while state roads would be repaired using Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) funds amounting to RM5.7 billion.

"The Malaysian Highway Authority will construct 15 motorcycle shelters, install 70 CCTV cameras along the PLUS Expressway, and provide 50 electric vehicle charging facilities at strategic locations," he added.

-- BERNAMA