Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
“I was a bit tipsy and I swerved out of my lane, luckily I didn’t hit anything la,”.
If you’ve ever heard this being mentioned casually as if it were no big deal and felt a frustration rising up in your chest, you’re not alone.
When so many ‘stories’ like this are shared at the table the day after a night out, you start to wonder, what if luck wasn’t on their side? They wouldn’t be able to sit there and talk about it so nonchalantly then.
“They won’t catch me lah, just give duit kopi can settle.”
It’s not uncommon to hear people say that it is easy to dodge arrest if they were to drive under the influence.
Waze is perfect when it comes to navigating Malaysian traffic. Where is the congestion? Which route has no tolls? Unfortunately it is also being abused by drivers who drink and then use it to track and avoid police blocks.
Another tactic which, unfortunately, we all are familiar with is ‘duit kopi’. More often than not, we hear about people dodging bigger fines and stains on their records by bribing officers. “Why would they arrest me and have me pay the court when I could just give the policeman a bit of extra income?”
There are even people who say “Oh usually they just lock us up for the night and we will be let go in the morning, so even if we get caught, it’s no big deal.”
Cracks in the law enforcement system seem to be what’s giving these offenders the confidence that they can easily get away with it, subsequently influencing others to do the same because to avoid getting arrested is “very easy only”.
A total of 1,147 people lost their lives in drink-driving accidents from 2011-2018
And an estimated number of 2,692 people were stopped by police for drink-driving in Malaysia in 2021 alone.
Earlier this year, K. Meena Sundram, an insurance agent driving a Honda HRV caused the death of a 76-year-old man who was having dinner at a table set up at a restaurant along a five-foot way at Jalan Klang Lama. He is believed to have lost control of the wheel and crashed into another vehicle that was parked by the road, injuring another eight people along with the one fatality.
In March this year as well, 24 year old college student, Lo Yen Hue, failed to control his Toyota Sienta, which caused him to crash into road cones and a lorry, subsequently killing a 74-year-old DBKL sub-contractor who was working on the road divider at the time.
These two accused have been charged under Section 44(1)(b) of the Road Transport Act 1987 which carries a jail term of not less than 10 years and not exceeding 15 years and a fine of between RM10,000 and RM30,000, and disqualification from holding a driving licence for not less than seven years from the date of conviction, if found guilty.
Just earlier this month, a PwD(Person with Disabilities) couple was killed when an intoxicated driver failed to dodge their motorcycle, crashing into them as well as two other motorcycles ,and finally being brought to a halt by hitting a house nearby.
This case is being investigated under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transports Act 1987 which means imprisonment for 5 to 10 years with a fine of RM20,000 to RM50,000.
Should Malaysia implement harsher punishments?
The punishment for driving under the influence (DUI) currently is a fine between RM10,000 and RM30,000, and jail time for up to two years plus disqualification from driving for two years, a much steeper one compared to the previous fine of RM1,000 and RM6,000, a jail sentence of up to one year and a driving ban for a maximum of 12 months.
Our laws are already quite stringent in comparison to some other countries, however driving under the influence still seems to be a common occurrence – and it is predicted to happen more with clubs reopening at full force.
From January to April this year alone, 759 motorists were arrested for DUI and Malaysian netizens are outraged. Suggestions for heavier penalties and even alcohol bans are constantly brought up whenever news of drunk drivers surface.
Selfish Malaysians need policing, will we ever grow out of it?
Drink driving not only puts the life of the driver at risk but also anyone else on or near the road. It is a selfish and reckless act that is so easily avoidable with the plethora of transportation options available.
Public transportation, Grab, and even newer alternatives like Buddy Driver are just a few steps and clicks away. The excuse of these options being too expensive is exactly that, an excuse. If one can afford to buy alcohol, which isn’t exactly cheap, transportation home shouldn’t be a problem.
There is nothing inherently wrong with consuming alcohol and getting drunk, problems arise only when those who drink are not responsible when they do so.
It seems to be the case, along with many other rules and regulations as well, that Malaysians need to be policed and closely supervised – the honour system is non-existent. Will this ever change? Will Malaysians ever grow out of having to be chaperoned like toddlers being told “no” all the time?
Know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at hello@inreallife.my and we may feature the story!
For more stories like this, read:
https://inreallife.my/sam-ke-ting-the-basikal-lajak-case-everyone-involved-is-a-victim/
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