NATION SUFFERED US$2.5 BLN IN LOSSES DUE TO ROAD ACCIDENTS IN 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia suffered losses amounting to RM7.8
billion (US$2.537 billion) which is equivalent to 1.5 per cent of GDP due road
accidents including fatal ones in 2008, according to studies done by the
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros).

Miros director-general Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said among the main
causes of fatal accidents were negative attitude of drivers like driving
recklessly, stopping suddenly, tailgating and beating traffic lights.

As for motorcyclists, who made up most of the fatalities, it was because the
acted as though they were "heroes" when on the roads, he said when contacted by
Bernama here Thursday.

Ahmad Farhan said, according to Bukit Aman statistics, from January till
November, 5,753 fatal accidents were recorded, 2,464 involving motorcycles, cars
(1,428), lorries (559), four-wheel drives (231), vans (190), buses (121), taxis
(74), other vehicles (178), bicycles (114) and pedestrians (370).

Their causes among others were drivers carelessness (1,587 cases), cutting into
opposite lane (856), trying to or changing direction (774), poor entering or
exiting at interchanges (585), tailgating (337), obstructed view of vehicles of
animals ahead (556), driving against traffic flow (161), making U turns (220)
and failing to observe traffic lights (106).

Drowsiness (100), carelessness when reversing (62), racing (21), sudden stopping
(18), drunk or under the influence of drugs (10), and others (340).

According to 2009 statistics, 6,745 people were killed on the roads compared to
6,527 in 2008, with 60 per cent of them being motorcyclists or pillion riders.

Other factors contributing to road fatalities cited were road conditions,
vehicle conditions and the environment.
-- BERNAMA