Commercial vehicle accidents have long been a stubborn road safety problem in Malaysia, often linked to impaired driving. To address this, the government plans to make driver monitoring and telematics systems mandatory in commercial vehicles, starting with a phased rollout next year.
We from Safetec Ventures is working together with the companies to supply the breathalyser and drug testing kit .
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the systems, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Budget 2027, are currently being promoted to operators in the hope that they will adopt them voluntarily before they become mandatory.
The telematics unit works much like a dashcam, featuring specialised software that records and tracks driver behaviour in real time. It can pick up on eye movements, as well as sudden braking and sharp acceleration. The system also includes breathalyser testing and pulse monitoring, which are meant to detect whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Speaking to the media at a press conference yesterday, Loke said the move is aimed at the root of the problem rather than its consequences, saying, “We have seen many accidents involving commercial vehicles where drivers were under the influence of drugs. This is something we want to tackle.”
He added that harsher punishment alone has not stopped crashes from happening. “We want prevention, not just punishment, but to address the root causes,” he added.
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