According to Deputy Transport Minister, 5,364 people died in road accidents in the first 10 months of 2024. That translates to an average of 17 people dying on our roads daily. That figure does not even include those who are injured, hospitalised or maimed for life.
Do we now treat these 5,364 deaths as just another statistic and move on? Why does the government’s response leave much to be desired? The death rates, injuries and vehicle damage have been rising despite numerous road safety campaigns.
The Road Transport Department’s measures to upgrade and tighten the licensing syllabus, has no effect because we see more and more motorists disregarding traffic rules. In many reported road accidents, we often hear of “faulty brakes” and “loss of vehicle control” as the cause of accidents.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org
Netizens have extensively expressed their concerns and offered suggestions regarding the alarming number of accidents and unsafe conditions.
So, do we continue to launch more campaigns? Or do we acknowledge this as a serious problem?
We need well-coordinated, sustainable enforcement over lengthy periods to instil fear and respect for the rule of law. Our antiquated road traffic laws must be changed to effectively punish vehicle owners and vehicle operators. We need to reshape our road works and raise maintenance standards to meet the ever-increasing traffic volume. We also need to tackle the problem of imitation, poor quality and substandard motor spare parts flooding the country.
Motorists much be disciplined without fear. We must stop giving ‘discounts’ to law breakers. Such ‘pardoning’ will only further erode our societal value system. Highway and road concessionaires, both private and government, must be exposed and severely punished whenever they fail to maintain their road stretches. If nothing meaningful is done, the statistic of 532,125 road accidents will remain just another number.
Of the total, the bulk is motorcyclists. They have no regard for life! Some wish to die! And if you happen to be at fault or otherwise, the motorcyclist is always right! How can we change? It is a behavioural problem that can only be fixed by incentives for good behaviour and deterrents for bad. And the MOT knows what to do but may lack the political will.
Reference:
7 deaths a day! Do something now about Malaysia’s road accidents crisis, JD Lovrenciear, Aliran, 21 November 2024
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