KUCHING: Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) feels that there is a dire need to educate drivers on the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and drugs.
While the association appreciates the federal government’s zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, its chairman Datuk John Lau Pang Heng said preventive education must be made effective to make sure that those who want to consume alcoholic drinks do not drive.
“We feel that the fine of RM100,000 on offenders is too high. Not many can pay it, so when they cannot pay, they’d be imprisoned.
“This may cause problems for those who are the main breadwinners for their families. The families will also suffer through no fault of theirs,” he said in a statement last Sunday.
He also pointed out that corrective measures such as continuous learning courses on driving ethics would raise awareness of the impact of DUI.
“If the offences are repeated, the offender’s licence must be suspended for a period of time. The federal government also should take measures such as getting ignition interlocks installed in cars to measure alcohol in the driver’s breath particularly those who had been convicted of drink-driving.
“The interlock will keep the car from starting if the driver has blood alcohol above the minimum level. Mandating interlocks for all offenders, including first-time offenders, will have the greatest impact,” he said.
He said in order to ensure the effectiveness of the measures, mass media campaigns need to be carried out to spread messages about the physical dangers and legal penalties.
“Campaigns can be effective if supporting images are used. They could persuade people not to drink and drive and encourage them to keep other drivers from doing it,” he said.
Further, those who are prone to having alcohol addiction could be identified through screening and brief intervention in order to get them treated.
“Integrated efforts must be carried out by various government agencies to help them change behaviour, thus reducing alcohol-impaired driving that lead to crashes and injuries,” Lau stressed.
Believing that prevention is better than cure, he also stressed that school-based instructional programmes on related issues should be implemented among students.
