The section 66 and 67 of the Road Traffic Act is important to when it is related to reckless, dangerous and Drink Driving. Technically speaking, some offenders may argue that isn’t drink driving one charge is enough? Why does the TP impose 2 charges on me?
Let us take a closer look at the two sections:
SECTION 66: Causing death by reckless or dangerous driving
Death in accidents are not uncommon especially if the driver is not in a state of consciousness
Road Traffic Act
Based on the act itself , section 66 focus on dangerous and reckless driving. Even if it does not cause death, it will be related to section 64 or 65, so there is no way to escape. For section 66, the death is the crucial factor consequences for this. Without the death factor, imprisonment can still be fought, which means that you can escape prison depending on the level of the accident and also level of mitigation.
But in Section 66, it is high chance that the offender will be imprisoned up to 5 years if found guilty. The term is up to 5 years depending on level of severity.
Please also note that for section 64 and 65, even if you did not hurt anyone, BUT drove at a strange manner that could be POTENTIAL hazard to other motorists or road user. There is a high chance that the TP will also charge you under these sections.
If the offender is not guilty of the death for the victim, then the offender will be charged under Section 64, whereby the penalties are as follow:
a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
Section 67: Driving while under influence of drink or drugs
Do not drink or take medication when you are driving, it can cause impaired decisions and harm to others or even yourself.
This section is to deal with drunk and drink driving and also usage of drugs ( approved or not approved) to cause misjudgement and dangerous driving on the roads. Technically speaking, when you are driving you are NOT supposed to drink ( even within the approved level, as mentioned before TP is still able to charge you depending on the nature and event where you got caught). If you are taking any medication or taking unapproved drugs that cause your misjudgement on the roads. Then the TP is liable to charge you under this section.
IF FOUND GUILTY: The penalty:
liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine of not less than $3,000 and not more than $10,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months.
Usually TP arrest the offenders of section 67 under a TP raid or operation. If you are involved in an accident or have caused injury or death to someone on the roads, sometimes the TP might even request that you take a blood test or breadth test just to ensure that you are not guilty under this section. Therefore it is important that you go on the roads clean with out any alcohol or drugs.
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