THE recent fatal drink-driving incident in Klang, which claimed the life of a father on his way to buy books for his children, has reignited concerns over systemic weaknesses in Malaysia’s road safety framework.
Describing the tragedy as more than an isolated case, former Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) board member Shahrim Tamrin said it reflects deeper structural failures.
“This isn’t just another statistic; it is a systemic failure. We are fighting a 2026 problem with a 1987 mindset,” he said.
Shahrim noted that while public outrage often follows such incidents, it does little to address the underlying issues, adding: “Outrage doesn’t fix roads; facts do.”
He pointed to discrepancies in existing data on drink-driving, citing a 2012 MIROS study which found that 23% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for alcohol.
This contrasts sharply with police data over the past eight years, which recorded less than 1% of road deaths as involving driving under the influence (DUI).
Likening it to “flying blind”, Shahrim said the inconsistency highlights a fragmented system where critical data is not effectively shared between hospitals, the Health Ministry and law enforcement agencies.
He also criticised what he described as outdated approaches within the Transport Ministry, noting the absence of clear short-, medium- and long-term strategies specifically targeting DUI under both the Road Safety Council and the ministry.
Although a high-level committee on road safety and congestion chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been established in recent years, Shahrim said outcomes have been disappointing.
“The execution remains weak, and in the meantime, families continue to pay the price,” he said, pointing to cases where victims’ families are left without breadwinners, with some children reportedly sent to orphanages due to financial hardship.
Shahrim called for immediate policy action, proposing several measures under a DUI Road Safety Plan (2026–2035).
Among them are lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg, with a stricter 20mg “zero tolerance” limit for new and commercial drivers.
He also suggested immediate administrative licence suspension for drivers who fail breathalyser tests, pending court proceedings.
In addition, he proposed the establishment of a DUI Victim Compensation Fund, funded by allocating 30% of fines collected from DUI offences, to provide financial support to affected families.
Looking ahead, Shahrim said Malaysia should adopt a “Vision Zero” approach aimed at eliminating road fatalities caused by impaired driving.
This includes introducing driver-monitoring technology in vehicles and establishing dedicated DUI courts to expedite case resolution within 60 days.
He urged both policymakers and the public to move beyond expressions of grief and push for meaningful reform.
“It’s time to demand a road system that protects victims as much as it punishes offenders,” he said. ‒ Focus Malaysia
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