Friday 6 June 2008

Talking About Road Safety in Malaysia


Keep Death off the Roads

Who is talking about road safety in Malaysia?

There are lots of organisations and members of these organisation takling about road safety in Malaysia, but alas none of them seem to be serious about doing anything positive to reduce the carnage on the roads and highways.

Organisations in Malaysia are, for example:

Government

Under the Ministry of Transport

Road Safety Department, Malaysia

Road Transport Department (JPJ)

Under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Royal Malaysian Police (Traffic Police Division)

Others:

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS)

Road Safety Research Centre (RSRC) University Putra Malaysia (UPM)

There is also the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)

All of the above have road safety campaigns, all talk a lot, do research, collect statistics, all hold public awareness events, there are adverts in the media, and one thing which each and everyone of them does really well is to talk and talk and talk. The enforcement agencies do sporadic, and selective enforcement, which is ineffective.

Serious action is needed, not idle incessant talking and unproductive pie in the sky research which never gets further than that.

Enforcement should be 24/7 throughout the entire the year, and should be carried out strictly without fear or favour.

It is simple, what is needed unrelenting, strict unform enforcement on everyone who violates the traffic laws.

If this is done, the accident rate and the resulting accidents, damage, loss of lives and injuries will drop dramatically.

There must not be discounts on unpaid traffic offence tickets, as has been the case up to now.

Corruption must be eradicated, both in the enforcement units and also in the vehicle inspection monopoly PUSPAKOM, which has the job of inspecting taxis, buses and all commercial vehicles for road worthiness and general safety.

It is obvious that PUSPAKOM is failing in it's task, as one sees so many sub-standard buses, taxis and commercial vehicles on Malaysia's roads.

Public awareness, education and other road safety training, especially for children is also vital.

The Malaysian driving school curriculum's and teaching standards should be beefed up and the driving test needs to be more comprehensive, thorough and incorruptible.

There is also a dire need for better road markings, well sited and large enough signboards, better lighting, properly designed road junctions and also effective repairs, maintenance and drainage on all roads and highways.

So, if the empty talk, endemic corruption, institutional complaisance and general malaise ends, we may very soon see safer roads and highways in Malaysia, if the status qua remains, then SNAFU!

Drive safely folks, drive defensively and watch out for others.

Remember this:-

When driving ensure that you never purposely do anything that forces another driver to take evasive action.

It's better to be late than late!!!

Happy motoring everyone.

Enjoy your weekend.

Quemadmoeum gladis nemeinum occidit, occidentis telum est

- A sword is never a killer, it's a tool in the killer's hands.


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