| Achong Tanjong |
THERE has been a worrying rise in accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, which is posing a major threat to public safety in the country.
Acting Director of Land Transport Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud highlighted this in a press conference recently. He added that from January to April this year, four road accidents were recorded with two fatalities, caused by drunk driving. In 2017, three accidents caused by driving under the influence were recorded but without any fatalities.
Also present at the press conference was Acting Head of Road Investigation and Research Unit, Chief Inspector Md Baharin Shah bin Haji Abu Bakar.
The Department of Traffic Control and Investigation (JSKLL), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) and Land Transport Department (JPD) reminded drivers to be more responsible while driving by obeying road traffic rules and regulations, including not to drive under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs.
Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal said that under Section 26 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, Chapter 68, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a punishment of a BND10,000 fine and two years’ imprisonment, if found guilty.
For a second or subsequent conviction, the punishment is a fine of BND20,000 and 14 years’ imprisonment.
Under the Demerit Point system, SiKAP (Driver Safety Practice System), the driver will be given 24 demerit points if an accident involves death to a road user. His driving licence will also be cancelled for a period to be imposed by the court.
Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal said as part of efforts to raise awareness, the JPD and the JSKLL, RBPF will continue to conduct operations to deal with road offenders, including nabbing those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
From January to April this year, 936 road blocks and traffic control operations were conducted, during which 69 fines and 7,605 compounds were issued, he added.
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