KUCHING: The issue of drink driving in the country must be looked at from all aspects and not only by enforcing heavier penalties, said Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) chairman, Datuk John Lau Pang Heng.
He pointed out that although it was good for the federal government to impose heavier penalties on drink driving offenders, the government must also think of other ways to reduce drink driving.
“We need to address the root causes of drink driving,” he said in a statement on Monday.
To help tackle the issue, Lau suggested that the government request pubs, places of entertainment or restaurant owners check their clients’ blood alcohol level.
“If the alcohol content is above the allowable 35 micro-grammes in 100 millilitres of breath, it will be the responsibility of the pubs and places of entertainment owners to advise their clients not to drive but rather take a e-hailing transportation home.
“Or the owners themselves can provide transport to drive the affected persons home,” he said.
Lau added another method was to install vehicles with an ignition interlock device which required the drivers to blow into a mouthpiece before driving the vehicles.
“The vehicles will not start if the alcohol contents of the drivers are above the permissible level,” he said.
Lau also asked, “When a drunk individual is involved in an accident that causes an injury or death, will he or she be charged for killing someone on the road under the penal code or will he or she be charged under the Road Transport Act 1987?
“We believe prevention is the best cure. SCPA works with the police and community in maintaining a crime free neighbourhood.
“We believe being the eyes and ears of the police. Similarly, entertainment places like pubs, restaurants and cafes can assist the authority by informing them that a person who is drunk may be driving. “Let us love our community with help from everyone and we can build a safer society.”
