Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai told Sin Chew Daily today that to keep the roads safe, the government would take stern action against those driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which was a serious offence.
He reminded motorists they were also responsible for ensuring the roads were safe.
Following a meeting last week, the Road Safety Council has also decided to tighten enforcement and implement 22 measures for road safety, said Liow.
He said the Tuesday incident was an unfortunate one that should not have happened.
The driver, Ng Pei Ven, 19, from Butterworth, was today charged under Section 15(1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. She was released on RM5,000 bail after pleading not guilty to charges of imbibing amphetamine before the fatal accident on the North-South Expressway.
At 7.50am on Tuesday, Ng made a U-turn with her Proton Gen-2 just before the Sungai Dua toll plaza, driving at high speed for 5km against traffic flow.
In the process she was reported to have crashed into nine vehicles, including a motorcycle. Factory worker Rosli Mohamad Fandi, 26, was killed when his Perodua Kelisa was hit.