If traffic law amendments are passed, the courts may soon have more discretion to implement correct sentences for driving offenses.
The Home Affairs Minister of State Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim introduced the Road Traffic ( Miscellaneous Amendments ) Bill to parliament on Monday ( Nov 11 ).  ,
The proposed changes include eliminating the first-time dangerous or negligent driving criminals ‘ mandatory minimum sentences and dismissal periods.
Additionally, a lower maximum sentence will be required for repeat offenders. It will be reduced from four to two years for those who cause death, and from two to one for those who cause severe harm.
This includes, for example, an accident where another road customers involved exhibited careless or risk-taking behaviour, and so bore some obligation.
The utmost penalties for these offenses, which were next raised in 2019, will remain unchanged. Reciprocious offenders are subject to prison sentences of up to eight years, while first-time offenders are guilty of unsafe driving, which results in death.  ,
For those who drive while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, the required minimum penalties will be the same. Such criminals even face additional sanctions, depending on the severity of the damage.  ,
According to a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA ), the law’s amendments “recalibrate the balance” between deterrence and proportionality for road traffic offenses.  ,
According to the government, this gives the courts more room for choice in terms of punishment and a choice in how to file charges against the prosecution in response to the offence’s circumstances.
For instance, the prosecution can resume on a “hurt” cost even where “grievous harm” was technically caused, taking into account aspects such as the nature of the injury caused.
The Home Affairs Ministry claims to periodically review the laws to ensure their effectiveness. Criminal penalties for some offenses were increased during the most recent assessment of road traffic offenses in 2019.
The proposed changes “ensure that comparatively less egregious behavior is not exceedingly penalized, while still having the authority to severely punish egregious offenders,” the statement read.  ,