Bill passed to prevent some first-time traffic offenders from being overly punished

A Bill was passed on Jan 7 that will remove mandatory minimum sentences for first-time traffic offenders who commit dangerous driving offences that cause grievous hurt or death, in a bid to prevent them from being overly punished.

- Nadine Chua

However, road users who cause accidents leading to death or serious injuries will still face the full force of the law and can be handed maximum jail sentences.

The passing of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill means that when the law is in force, it will prevent less egregious offenders from being overly penalised, as other road users might have contributed to the accident.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim said that with the removal of minimum sentences for first-time offenders, corresponding changes will also be made to lower the mandatory minimum imprisonment term for repeat offenders.

Specifically, for dangerous driving offences by repeat offenders causing death, the mandatory minimum imprisonment term will be lowered from four years to two years.

For dangerous driving offences causing grievous hurt, it will be lowered from two years to one year.

The maximum penalties will remain at 10 years' jail for causing grievous hurt and 15 years' jail for causing death.

Associate Professor Faishal said the adjustment aims to create a more gradual progression in sentencing between first-time and repeat offenders.