KUALA LUMPUR: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the ministry will initiate a detailed assessment of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He was commenting on the recent Penang Bridge fatal crash involving an unlicensed underage driver, which killed a motorcyclist and his female pillion rider.
New Straits Times learnt that the lowest fine for driving without a license under the Road Transport Act 1987 is set at RM300, with a maximum of up to RM2,000.
"That is the maximum fine we can compound under the existing law.
"Of course, a thorough review will be carried out. Not only on that particular clause, but I think the overall Road Transport Act has to be reviewed, on other aspects as well," Loke said.
When asked about the prospect of formulating a law to penalise owners of vehicles driven by underage individuals, Loke conveyed that MOT would scrutinise the matter closely.
"MOT, of course, would look into whether other aspects must be included when reviewing existing laws.
"The ministry will get more feedback from the public and also from non-governmental organisations (NGO) on any further review (of the act)," Loke said.
In the Nov 11 Penang Bridge accident involving three vehicles - a motorcycle, a car and a lorry, the male motorcyclist and the female pillion rider, both in their 20s, died on the spot.
The teenager sustained minor injuries, while the male lorry driver escaped unhurt.
Initial investigation revealed the crash happened when the car heading towards the mainland from the island is believed to have rear-ended a lorry, causing it to lose control.
The car then crashed into the motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist and the pillion rider to be thrown off the machine and succumb to their injuries at the scene.
The teen driver, who is still in school, is believed to have driven his mother's car. He was returning home in Bukit Mertajam after meeting a friend on the island.
