ID :
203128
Wed, 08/24/2011 - 07:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/203128
The shortlink copeid
DON'T JUST ADD UP TO ACCIDENT STATISTICS
By Kurniawati Kamarudin
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- The overwhelming reminders, such as "Drive
Carefully", "Keep to Speed Limit", "Speed Kills", and slogans like "Drive, Ride
and Walk Safely" and "You Can Make the Difference", alert Malaysian drivers to
drive safely.
However, if accident statistics are anything to go by, Malaysian road users
are still foolhardy, indifferent and forgetful, despite being inundated by
reminders and slogans along the roads.
According to statistics provided by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM),
414,421 accidents were recorded in 2010, an increase of 4 per cent over 397,330
accidents in 2009. The casualty figures also increased during the same period
from 6,745 to 6,872.
17 DEATHS DAILY
In Malaysia, from sunrise to sunrise, an average of 17 deaths occur on the
roads, regardless of weekdays or weekends.
This average figure has not changed much over the last five years and the
fatalities are considered high for a nation of 28 million people, according to
an expert on public transportation, Prof Dr Abd Rahim Md Nor.
What is even more worrying is that despite the grim road fatality numbers,
road users remain nonchalant when it comes to safety is sues.
"The public perception on road deaths here defies logic, with the public
remaining indifferent to road safety," says Prof Abd Rahim, who is also
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (National University of Malaysia) head of the
Social, Development and Environmental Studies School.
Road carnage is a great loss for society and the nation. Day in, day Out,
many are dying on the roads as a wife loses her husband, children lose their
father, a mother loses her child and the country loses its citizen.
NO CHANGE IN THE ROAD USER'S ATTITUDE
The causes of accidents are often attributed to carelessness, speeding,
reckless driving and taking dangerous risks on the roads. The other factors,
such as conditions of the roads and cars, also contribute to accidents, but to a
lesser extent.
While these factors are well known, it still appears that the average driver
remains indifferent. And society's overall awareness on road safety remains low.
Various attempts have been taken to tackle this problem, including the 'Ops
Sikap' during major festive seasons, conducted each year over the past 11 years
to help change attitudes of those behind the wheels.
Nonetheless, many see the Ops Sikap as no longer relevant, looking at the
fact that drivers revert to their old habits after the exercise is over and,
moreover, this traffic operation is only carried out during major festive
periods.
MALAYSIA LACKS SKILLED DRIVERS
Dwelling further on Malaysia's unenviable accident statistics, Prof Abd
Rahim revealed another contributing factor - Malaysian drivers only have the
know-how to pass the driver’s test, but not the skills to drive.
"The driving licence does not stand as testimony to their driving skills.
"As soon as they get their licence they start driving, they are really not
fit enough to drive and just end up as a nuisance on the roads," he notes.
Further, the only way to overcome drivers' incompetence in Malaysia is by
revising the driving school syllabus to produce drivers who not only know how to
drive, but to drive properly.
Many are not yet ready to drive on the roads because they are not even aware
as to whether they have the right attitude to be on the road.
"They are totally oblivious to the dangers awaiting them, they feel safe and
escape from accidents because the other road users sympathise and give them way,
despite the fact they may have broken many rules on the road," he says.
Prof Abd Rahim points out that it is noteworthy for Malaysia to emulate
developed nations like Europe, where it takes four years for drivers to receive
a full fledged driver's licence.
"Back in Malaysia, within months one can earn a full licence and start
driving using the P licence for two years. And nowadays I hardly see the P
stickers in vehicles. If they cannot even adhere to the P regulation, then it is
not surprising why the country records high accident statistics," he points out.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The accident statistics are further compounded by the fact that more than
one million new vehicles add to the existing number of vehicles on the road
annually, and this increases the risks of accidents.
Prof Abd Rahim noted that one of the effective ways to reduce road
causalities is by encouraging the use of public transportation, which boasts a
better safety record.
Last year, public transportation users recorded 77 deaths (1.1 per cent of
the total) compared with car drivers and occupant fatalities numbering 1,421
(20.7 per cent) while motorcycle riders and pillion riders numbered 4,036 (58.7
percent).
"Motorcyclist and pillion riders should make use of the public
transportation facility since they represent the high risk group, especially
during the 'balik kampung' rush," he explains.
There are several public transportation categories in Malaysia that are
considered safe, as towns buses, taxis, light rail transit and monorails are
recommended, while for intercity travel, trains and commuter trains are
suggested.
Intercity transport covering long distances using express buses is
considered high risk, looking at the statistics, along with the prevalent
attitude of bus drivers who ignore road safety.
In a nutshell, road safety is the responsibility of all road users -
drivers, pedestrians, occupants, riders and pillion riders - with the change in
the prevailing driving attitude being the most important attribute in avoiding
tragedy.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- The overwhelming reminders, such as "Drive
Carefully", "Keep to Speed Limit", "Speed Kills", and slogans like "Drive, Ride
and Walk Safely" and "You Can Make the Difference", alert Malaysian drivers to
drive safely.
However, if accident statistics are anything to go by, Malaysian road users
are still foolhardy, indifferent and forgetful, despite being inundated by
reminders and slogans along the roads.
According to statistics provided by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM),
414,421 accidents were recorded in 2010, an increase of 4 per cent over 397,330
accidents in 2009. The casualty figures also increased during the same period
from 6,745 to 6,872.
17 DEATHS DAILY
In Malaysia, from sunrise to sunrise, an average of 17 deaths occur on the
roads, regardless of weekdays or weekends.
This average figure has not changed much over the last five years and the
fatalities are considered high for a nation of 28 million people, according to
an expert on public transportation, Prof Dr Abd Rahim Md Nor.
What is even more worrying is that despite the grim road fatality numbers,
road users remain nonchalant when it comes to safety is sues.
"The public perception on road deaths here defies logic, with the public
remaining indifferent to road safety," says Prof Abd Rahim, who is also
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (National University of Malaysia) head of the
Social, Development and Environmental Studies School.
Road carnage is a great loss for society and the nation. Day in, day Out,
many are dying on the roads as a wife loses her husband, children lose their
father, a mother loses her child and the country loses its citizen.
NO CHANGE IN THE ROAD USER'S ATTITUDE
The causes of accidents are often attributed to carelessness, speeding,
reckless driving and taking dangerous risks on the roads. The other factors,
such as conditions of the roads and cars, also contribute to accidents, but to a
lesser extent.
While these factors are well known, it still appears that the average driver
remains indifferent. And society's overall awareness on road safety remains low.
Various attempts have been taken to tackle this problem, including the 'Ops
Sikap' during major festive seasons, conducted each year over the past 11 years
to help change attitudes of those behind the wheels.
Nonetheless, many see the Ops Sikap as no longer relevant, looking at the
fact that drivers revert to their old habits after the exercise is over and,
moreover, this traffic operation is only carried out during major festive
periods.
MALAYSIA LACKS SKILLED DRIVERS
Dwelling further on Malaysia's unenviable accident statistics, Prof Abd
Rahim revealed another contributing factor - Malaysian drivers only have the
know-how to pass the driver’s test, but not the skills to drive.
"The driving licence does not stand as testimony to their driving skills.
"As soon as they get their licence they start driving, they are really not
fit enough to drive and just end up as a nuisance on the roads," he notes.
Further, the only way to overcome drivers' incompetence in Malaysia is by
revising the driving school syllabus to produce drivers who not only know how to
drive, but to drive properly.
Many are not yet ready to drive on the roads because they are not even aware
as to whether they have the right attitude to be on the road.
"They are totally oblivious to the dangers awaiting them, they feel safe and
escape from accidents because the other road users sympathise and give them way,
despite the fact they may have broken many rules on the road," he says.
Prof Abd Rahim points out that it is noteworthy for Malaysia to emulate
developed nations like Europe, where it takes four years for drivers to receive
a full fledged driver's licence.
"Back in Malaysia, within months one can earn a full licence and start
driving using the P licence for two years. And nowadays I hardly see the P
stickers in vehicles. If they cannot even adhere to the P regulation, then it is
not surprising why the country records high accident statistics," he points out.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The accident statistics are further compounded by the fact that more than
one million new vehicles add to the existing number of vehicles on the road
annually, and this increases the risks of accidents.
Prof Abd Rahim noted that one of the effective ways to reduce road
causalities is by encouraging the use of public transportation, which boasts a
better safety record.
Last year, public transportation users recorded 77 deaths (1.1 per cent of
the total) compared with car drivers and occupant fatalities numbering 1,421
(20.7 per cent) while motorcycle riders and pillion riders numbered 4,036 (58.7
percent).
"Motorcyclist and pillion riders should make use of the public
transportation facility since they represent the high risk group, especially
during the 'balik kampung' rush," he explains.
There are several public transportation categories in Malaysia that are
considered safe, as towns buses, taxis, light rail transit and monorails are
recommended, while for intercity travel, trains and commuter trains are
suggested.
Intercity transport covering long distances using express buses is
considered high risk, looking at the statistics, along with the prevalent
attitude of bus drivers who ignore road safety.
In a nutshell, road safety is the responsibility of all road users -
drivers, pedestrians, occupants, riders and pillion riders - with the change in
the prevailing driving attitude being the most important attribute in avoiding
tragedy.
