Stricter penalties, enforcement, collective responsibility needed to curb drink driving

 We must move beyond race and religion when addressing alcohol abuse and driving under the influence.

From Kasthuri Patto

I condemn the irresponsible act of the driver who allegedly consumed alcohol and drugs and drove in such a dangerous manner that it resulted in a family scarred for life losing their loved one – an innocent man, a father, and husband.

Social media was ablaze with condemnation of what he had done, scarily fringed on the race of the driver and calling him derogatory names.

Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal called for the death penalty for drunk drivers who cause death. I strongly disagree with him as this will not end the irresponsibility of those who drink excessively and drive.

It is a failed theory and one that is colonial in approach. As a lawmaker, he should back his calls by data, statistics, and international standards and best practices, not a knee-jerk reaction like this.

Looking at success stories in Europe, which is the largest consumer of beer, might help instead of proposing the death penalty alone for drink driving.

I agree with stiffer and harsher penalties, but that cannot be done without greater and regular enforcement, education, awareness, and infrastructure in place.

Higher fines coupled with longer sentences will work after the crime is committed. The focus should also be equally important in the time before the accident happens.

Prevention is the key to reducing casualties and fatalities due to drink driving. This man chose to hold his bottle of alcohol in one hand and his car keys in the other and must face the consequences of his actions, without prejudice, fear or favour.

In countries like Sweden, Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Italy, Australia, Canada, the US and New Zealand, alcohol interlocks, or “alcolocks”, are used for repeat offenders requiring a clean breath sample before starting the vehicle.

In Italy starting this year, a drink-driving offender found guilty by a court must install an “alcolock” in his or her vehicle – costing up to €2000, equivalent to about RM9,240 – for a period according to the court sentence.

In majority countries, immediate, administrative licence suspension is highly effective.

In France, nightclubs, bars and restaurants that operate at night are legally required to make alcohol breath tests available to customers. These tests must clearly indicate the legal blood alcohol limits to remind patrons that exceeding them makes driving illegal.

France has also introduced the SAM designated driver campaign targeting drivers with the slogan “Celui qui conduit, c’est celui qui ne boit pas”, meaning “The one who drives is the one who doesn’t drink”.

Drink companies (like Pernod Ricard, an international brand for spirits and champagne) have teamed up with local authorities to promote this campaign in nightclubs and bars, identifying designated drivers with bracelets and offering them free non-alcoholic drinks.

The EU Road Safety Conference has supported practical steps to prevent someone from driving such as keeping car keys, offering a place to stay, or calling for a friend to step in. The European Transport Safety Council over the period of 25 years from 1993 published seven initiatives to tackle drink-driving in the EU.

It includes lower blood alcohol concentration limits, sanctions, enforcement, alcohol interlocks, rehabilitation programmes, alcohol and work-related safety and education campaigns.

In other European countries, bartenders and pub owners hold on to the car keys of drunk drivers in a safe and calling transport services for them to be sent home.

If one exercises the right to drink alcohol, one must also be tightly bound by a higher threshold of responsibility and accountability to not drive under the influence. You cannot have your cake and eat it risking your life and the lives of innocent people around you.

We must move beyond race and religion on the subject of alcohol abuse and drink driving. An innocent life lost is mourned by all regardless of race or religion. We share the grief of all families who have lost loved ones due to this morose behaviour, and we stand united in condemning those who choose to sit behind the wheel while being intoxicated.

Malaysia must have a five-year or 10-year plan to tackle and fight drink driving, financial input from the government and stakeholders, and for the community to work together to prevent alcohol abuse.

This is not a war on alcohol but one on drunk drivers. Law alone is not enough, no matter how strict or tight. Frequent and regular unannounced checks by the police are needed to weed out drunk drivers.

Body cameras must be mandatory for the police, traffic police and road transport department officers to build a compelling case against these perpetrators who fail their urine, breath, or blood alcohol tests.

The public must support this, too. I have witnessed “announcements” made in WhatsApp groups alerting others that there are roadblocks and breathalyser tests on the road. How is this supposed to help combat the menace of drink driving? Friends must also encourage the other to take public transport when noticing if one of them is intoxicated.

Companies that produce and sell spirits and beers also have a significant role in supporting government efforts as shown by the positive role of the Brewers of Europe in combating drink driving. The national plan must include all stakeholders so that a robust and realistic action plan can be developed.

This is a war against irresponsible drunk drivers and not against any race, religion, or the alcohol itself.

 Kasthuri Patto is the DAP international secretary.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.