'Throw the book' at lorry firms over road accidents, experts say [WATCH]

Road safety experts are urging Malaysian authorities to take severe action against lorry companies following a series of accidents involving their drivers. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, a prominent road safety activist, argues that employers must face legal consequences for negligence and failure to enforce safety measures, even when drivers are responsible for the accidents. He emphasizes that employers have a moral responsibility to ensure their drivers are disciplined, responsible, and get sufficient rest.

Meanwhile, senior criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy highlights that while existing laws already impose penalties for drug-impaired drivers, the Shah Alam incident raises concerns over whether these laws are consistently enforced. He suggests stricter limits on commercial drivers' working hours, similar to those required for pilots, and calls for a comprehensive review of laws and stronger enforcement against those who disregard safety regulations.

Dr. Sundramoorthy also emphasizes that deterrence depends on the certainty and swiftness of enforcement, recommending tougher consequences for repeat offenders, including licence suspension or disqualification, alongside targeted drug screening and effective prosecution. He stresses that corporate liability should be based on evidence, not imposed automatically upon an employee's offence.

To improve the criminal justice system, Dr. Sundramoorthy proposes the creation of a Criminal Justice Advisory Committee comprising criminologists, legal experts, and enforcement agencies to assess law effectiveness and recommend reforms. Authorities should also coordinate better among agencies and conduct thorough investigations following preliminary positive screening results before implementing due process.