Bukit Aman to develop driver profiling system to curb DUI cases

PETALING JAYA: The Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department will develop a profiling system covering drivers, companies, and commercial vehicles to strengthen enforcement against driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The department’s director, Hasbullah Ali, said the initiative is being refined as part of proposals to tighten enforcement, including holding companies accountable when their drivers commit such offences.

“We are working with the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) and submitting proposals to the government to strengthen laws so that not only drivers are penalised, but also the companies that employ them,” Bernama reported Hasbullah as saying today.

He said this followed a growing number of commercial vehicle drivers being caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, posing significant risk to road safety.

Hasbullah said that under the Road Transport Act 1987, legal action could be taken against individuals who commit such offences, but the department is proposing that employers and companies are also held responsible.

He advised transport companies and commercial vehicle owners to regularly screen their drivers, including through urine tests, to ensure they are not involved in drug abuse.

Hasbullah also said 121 lorry drivers were among 135 people detained after testing positive for drugs during 44 operations targeting commercial vehicle drivers along the North-South Expressway and East Coast Expressway between April and June.

“Nearly 90% of those detained were commercial vehicle drivers, comprising 121 lorry drivers and 14 others,” he said, adding that methamphetamine was the most commonly detected drug among lorry drivers.