Hello everyone. I guess its not too late for me to wish all Chinese a Happy Chinese New Year. As you all know we in Malaysia just had a good holiday break in conjunction with the Chinese New Year holiday. I am sure some you like me, who went to Penang were caught with heavy traffic. We left for Penang on the21st January (Saturday) at about 4.30am and it took us six (6) hours to reach Penang. Amazingly , the number of cars on the road so much so, all the rest areas were full of people.
If you see the statistics of accident in Malaysia during Chinese new year has reduced slightly compared to last year but fatalities involving motorist still remained high. Below is the accidents statistics that I get from OPS sikap Malaysia :
It is good to note that the number of fatalities this Chinese New Year was down. However so, the number of fatalities involving motorcyclists was still alarming. The transport authorities for cars reminded that passengers at the back seat who failed to use the seat belt will be fined RM300-00 is also timely. To what I saw not many of the passengers seated at the back seat complied with the directive.
Here, is where our enforcement is lacking. There were authorities stationed along the way but they were not strict nor did they caution or summon any vehicles for non-compliance. Requiring the back seat passengers to use the seat belt, to me is very good and life(s) could be saved in the event an accident occurred. However, many Malaysian drivers are just reluctant to follow the directive.
To me, the authorities must beef up the enforcement especially with another holiday break next week in conjunction with Nabi Muhammad saw and Taipusam. The authorities must at least caution the drivers or if need be summon them for non compliance failing which these directive of " back seat passengers to fasten the seat belt" will not be taken seriously.
Next, I am of the view that larger organizations and corporate companies should have "safety pep talks" with the employees from time to time or especially during school holidays or long weekends. They should remind the staff/employees on aspects of safety driving, importance of fastening of seat belts, having sufficient rest, risk of speeding etc.It is good and beneficial for all parties to reminded about safety and this is also part of corporate social responsibility.
On the rest areas, as mentioned earlier, there was a lot of congestion so much so some of the drivers just parked their cars along the highways thus obstructing free traffic flow. Probably, the enforcement authorities must look into this matter or probably have station additional Rela or maybe police personnel at the rest areas so that drivers do not park haphazardly. This thing certainly would help in reducing accidents in our country.
That’s all from me today.
THANK YOU AND for KL folks HAPPY WILAYAH DAY..;)
shafiq 13c
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