Yoursay: Not just DUI, all reckless driving must be equally punished

YOURSAY | 'After all, fatal road accidents are not caused by DUI incidents alone.'

Zaid: RM100k penalty too high for DUI

Vijay47: Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol has to be severely punished, especially if it has led to an accident and worse, a fatal one.

Drink as much as you want, but do not then get behind the steering wheel and become a danger to yourself, passers-by and other road users.

That said, and without trying to defend dangerous drivers, I do not agree with the current outcry for stronger action against drink driving. One has to view this offence in perspective where enforcement is carried out in respect of priority categories and not in a populist direction which “cannot be faulted”.

It is of no comfort to Malaysians that we do not have the worst road death figures in the world and even within Asia, we are “only” at third position. Our track record has miles to go towards drastic reduction.

From official reports I read somewhere, drunk driving accidents form about two percent of the total statistics, while dangerous driving cases come to about 13.1 percent.

And the champions? Why, surprise, surprise, none other than our friendly neighbourhood buses coming in at 16.28 percent.

A simple quiz: Have you ever seen a bus on the expressway going at 80kph? Have you ever seen a bus being stopped at a speed check? And the bus drivers are not innocent babes either, not when they flash their lights to warn on-coming speedsters of roadblocks further down.

So why are we barking up the wrong tree? One does not need to be a rocket scientist to realise where the focus should be.

Dr Suresh Kumar: If you want to impose such a hefty fine, then do it across the board. Why be selective?

Each day we see deaths on the roads caused mainly by sober drivers due to their pathetic road mannerism. From running red lights, changing lanes without signalling, cutting lanes abruptly, speeding, using handphones while driving, dozing off at the wheels and whatnot.

These are the main offenders, not drunk drivers as such. The best way to curtail road accidents is by education, not through fines.

Worried Sick: Since everybody is now gung-ho about increasing fines for driving under influence or DUI, what about those driving under the influence of prohibited drugs?

Why not impose the same punishment and kill two birds with one stone? Or is the race issue going to play another part here too?

TehTarik: Similar fines should be imposed on Mat Rempits and other reckless drivers on our roads.

Also, on those who jump the red lights, which is becoming a norm in Kuala Lumpur. No doubt, DUI is dangerous and so are the Mat Rempits.

Anonymous_8f001836: In Western countries, no matter who you are, if you're caught for drunk driving, you will be jailed one to six months.

You also have to undertake a refresher course. If it happens again, you will receive longer jail sentences and your licence will be suspended. That's why there, people usually don't drink and drive.

TC Chan: Enforcement without fear or favour by incorruptible officers is key, but then Malaysian motorists will not bat an eyelid when offering a bribe to wish away a problem.

In Australia, by and large, motorists will not offer a bribe and neither will the officers ask or accept it. It will get both parties into more serious problems.

A year or so ago, the Victorian police commissioner was caught speeding by over 7kmph. He paid the fine, issued a public apology and volunteered to do community service. Will this happen in Malaysia?

Dr Spin: The effectiveness of the DUI law and enforcement in Australia is due mainly to the likelihood of being caught and losing the licence to drive.

Every driver in Australia expects to be pulled up and tested by police at least once a year so habitual drinkers certainly lose their licence. Drivers know that in Australia that offering a bribe is a certain further offence and will not work.

Stiffer penalties are futile because the drunk driver, who doesn't care about killing oneself, doesn't fear the lesser consequences of fine or jail.

Knowing that intending to drive after drinking will certainly end up losing one's licence plus fine or jail causes people to change their plans in order to sustain their lifestyle. It is the certainty of enforcement that is key.

Anonymous_1547638573344.86381547637684419: Most people here still want to see and make a connection with race and the law and it almost sounds like they’re supporting drink driving.

If fines and jail time obviously don’t work, how about making it a regulation that Grab and taxis don’t charge surplus amounts for after-hours to encourage people to not drive home. That, coupled with public shaming ads, may work.

Malaysians fear shame more than death.

Jackal Way: It is a simple issue. Why can't we resolve it?

Fine those found guilty substantially and order them to do community work like sweeping the streets, washing public toilets and taking care of the elderly at old folks home for at a year or more.

This will definitely teach them a lesson.

The Wakandan: It has become vogue in England, Israel or France, where drivers used their cars to ram down people which caused dozens of deaths.

It was not alcohol that inspired them to do it but a twisted mind poisoned by death ideology. Wonder how much fine should we impose on such driving?

JWT: I have an easy solution. Just confiscate their vehicles. Albeit their car, motorcycle, bus or van.

We should make this a law. Regardless of whether the fatal accident was caused by drugs, alcohol or using their handphones while driving.

Force them to use public transport.

OceanMaster: Globally, texting and using a mobile phone while driving is causing more accidents on the roads. Any remedy for that?

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