The government will tighten road safety laws by making compensation compulsory for victims of drunk and drug-impaired driving, while introducing mandatory telematics systems for commercial vehicles to reduce road fatalities under Budget 2027.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Road Transport Act will be amended to require drivers found operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs to compensate victims.
The move follows 28 fatal cases involving drunk or drug-impaired drivers recorded as of August this year, highlighting persistent road safety concerns despite stricter enforcement.
The government will also require commercial vehicles to install telematics systems to monitor vehicle speed, location and risky driving behaviour.
The systems will include connectivity with alcohol detection devices to identify impaired drivers before they begin their journeys.
Implementation will remain voluntary until 2027, while the government develops a centralised driver database to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.
Separately, the Social Security Organisation will provide health screening vouchers for commercial vehicle drivers to detect medical conditions that could affect their driving ability.
The measures are aimed at strengthening road safety enforcement, improving driver accountability and reducing preventable road fatalities involving both private and commercial vehicles.
