Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia targets early 2025 for drunk driver compensation law
The Transport Ministry plans to table legislation next year compelling intoxicated and impaired drivers to compensate accident victims. The move aims to strengthen victim protection and hold at-fault drivers financially accountable.
LSN Malaysia ·
PUTRAJAYA — Malaysia's Transport Ministry is targeting the first parliamentary session of 2025 to introduce amendments requiring drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims of accidents they cause.
The proposed legislative changes are expected to strengthen accountability measures for impaired driving incidents and provide greater financial recourse for affected victims and their families. The initiative reflects growing concerns over road safety and the need for stricter consequences for dangerous driving behavior.
The timing of the tabling coincides with the ministry's broader road safety agenda, which has prioritised measures to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries nationwide. Officials have indicated the compensation requirement would apply to drivers found guilty of causing accidents while impaired.
The amendment is anticipated to face parliamentary consideration early in the new year, pending completion of final legislative drafting and inter-agency consultations. If passed, the measure would represent one of Malaysia's more stringent approaches to holding negligent drivers financially responsible for harm caused to accident victims.