How was public consensus secured for the Road Transport Act amendment?

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Public Consensus Secured Through Extensive Online Consultation for Road Transport Act Amendment

The Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020, which came into effect on October 23, saw significant public engagement, with a vast majority of participants endorsing the proposed changes. This amendment, particularly focusing on Sections 41 to 45 to enhance penalties for dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, was spurred by a series of fatal accidents involving drunk drivers. The Ministry of Transport initiated an online consultation process to gauge public opinion, ultimately receiving broad support for the proposed amendments to Act 333.
Extensive Online Consultation Process

A comprehensive online consultation was conducted as part of the process leading to the Road Transport (Amendment) Bill 2020. This initiative involved a total of 345,021 individuals who participated and provided their feedback on the proposed amendments. The overwhelming response indicated a strong public backing for revising the existing legislation to address the persistent issue of road safety.
Overwhelming Agreement with Proposed Amendments

The results of the online consultation revealed a significant consensus among the public regarding the need for stricter regulations. A striking 94% of the participants expressed their agreement with amending Act 333, signifying widespread acceptance of the proposed stricter punishments for offenses like reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This high level of agreement facilitated the progression of the bill towards parliamentary approval.
Swift Progression to Parliament

Following the positive public response, a memorandum detailing the proposed amendments was presented to the cabinet. The intention was to bring the bill before Parliament within the initial 100 days of the Perikatan Nasional administration. This expedited process underscored the urgency felt to implement more stringent measures on the roads, driven by public sentiment and the ongoing concerns over road fatalities.
Community Reception Despite Opposition

Despite some opposition that suggested the new penalties might be excessively severe, the amendment to the Road Transport Act has been largely well-received by the broader community. The amended Section 41 of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333), which addresses causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, now mandates imprisonment for five to 10 years and imposes fines ranging from RM20,000 to RM50,000. This reflects a societal demand for greater accountability and deterrence in road safety matters.

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How was public consensus secured for the Road Transport Act amendment?

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