Accra:Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs involved in accidents will now be required to compensate victims, according to amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general, Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, stated that this amendment is one of three major initiatives in Budget 2027 welcomed by the Transport Ministry and JPJ to enhance road safety and protect public welfare.

Aedy Fadly emphasized that this measure aims to strengthen action against offenders while ensuring victims and their families receive appropriate compensation. Additionally, the ministry and JPJ have endorsed the mandatory implementation of telematics systems for commercial vehicles to monitor speed, location, and risky driving behaviors, with potential integration of alcohol detection devices.

The telematics systems will be implemented voluntarily until 2027, allowing commercial vehicle operators time to adjust, while a driver database is developed to support more effective enforcement.

The JPJ has also expressed approval of the special assistance of RM1,000 for taxi and school bus drivers. This assistance will be disbursed from next week using funds from the H Series Special Registration Number (NPI) bids.

Furthermore, the ministry and JPJ are collaborating with relevant agencies, including the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), to conduct health screenings for commercial vehicle drivers to ensure their safety and welfare.

In the Dewan Rakyat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noted that 28 deaths involving drunk or drug-impaired drivers had been recorded up to August this year. He also announced that telematics systems would become compulsory for commercial vehicles and that PERKESO would provide health screening vouchers for commercial vehicle drivers.