Home TA Online 17 deaths a day! Do something now about Malaysia’s road accidents crisis

17 deaths a day! Do something now about Malaysia’s road accidents crisis

A nation's silent tragedy unfolds on its highways

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According to Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah, 5,364 people died in road accidents in the first 10 months of this year.

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. 

Despite the Road Transport Department’s measures to upgrade and tighten the licensing syllabus, 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. 

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. 

Laws must be tightened to punish vehicle owners more severely than vehicle operators. 

Motorists much be disciplined without fear. We must stop giving ‘discounts’ to law breakers. Such ‘pardoning’ will only further erode our societal value system. 

READ MORE:  Beyond 'lost control': Unmasking the real factors behind frequent road accidents

It is time to act decisively. 

Highway and road concessionaires, both private and government, must be exposed and severely punished whenever they fail to maintain their road stretches. 

Hasbi’s suggestion that “more motorcyclists should attend safe riding clinics to train them to react swiftly in emergency situations” is merely a whitewash. 

If nothing meaningful is done, the statistic of 532,125 road accidents will remain just another number.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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theresa
theresa
24 Nov 2024 4.53pm

During the 1960 to I can’t remember when, big vehicles, buses etc were always on the slow lane, now they are faster than the cars and even pressure the cars on the fast lane. Where are the enforcement on speed limit of heavy vehicles?

Motorcycles had no special lanes, but they too stuck to the slow lane. Nowadays they are everywhere. King of the roads, you hit them, you’re in the wrong, they hit you, YOU are still in the wrong. They are spoilt by our enforcement. Where are our enforcement on Mat Rempits?

rozy
rozy
21 Nov 2024 11.35pm

We must study the common cause of the fatal accidents bfore we decide to blindly impose certain rules. If majority of the accidents involve big vehicles such lorries/busses/trucks, then we can further impose more stringent rules for licensing etc etc.

theresa
theresa
24 Nov 2024 4.57pm
Reply to  rozy

Rozy, you are right by saying “blindly imposing certain rules” Enforcement must be taught to open their eyes and do their duty.

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