MALAYSIANS have seen too many road accidents in the last few years, many of which have resulted in many lives being lost. It certainly calls for more action to address the causes of these fatalities.
One may surely attribute this situation to a few factors, such as poor road conditions, poor road driving standards among Malaysians, and the lack of discipline and driving ethics, impatience being one, among the road users.
Other factors may also be cited, such as poor conditions of the vehicles in use and insufficient enforcement by the authorities.
Lately, many accidents have occurred involving lorries and buses which resulted in the deaths of passengers. People have expressed their concerns over these accidents yet accidents continue to occur again and again involving lorries and buses. Is life that cheap here?
The fact, however, remains that the largest number of road accidents, annually, involves scooterists or two-wheelers. They seem to be careless in their riding habits, as we see how they wheel around other traffic during jams and congestion. They do not even bother to use special lanes meant for them aside highways like the Federal Highway from Kuala Lumpur to Kelang. It is pure indiscipline.
This is not to mention the activities of ‘Mat Rempit’ that we see along expressways showing their daring displays of acrobatics while on their machines.
At this juncture, we cannot say for certain what the major causes and patterns of road accidents in this country as we have yet to see any published reports of analyses of these accidents in detail. Perhaps there are, but they remain in the files.
How can effective public policies be constructed to significantly curb these accidents? The authorities, the Ministry of Transport and the Road Transport Department, should explain in public reports on road accidents so that the public knows the extent of the problem and the danger society is facing, given that there may be accidents taking place because of such reasons as poor road planning or poor road maintenance.
Having described the above issues, may be now we consider few suggestions as to how to significantly reduce traffic accidents.
First deals with the drivers. The drivers must be fit to drive for long distances, and they must be examined medically to ensure fitness to drive long distances and driving late at night. There must be a spare driver for long distances to enable drivers to have enough rest, especially for long distances. Drivers must be checked for drugs with the view to ensure they are not under the influence of drugs when they are driving.
Secondly deals with the roadworthiness of the vehicles, lorries or buses. This is to ensure that the vehicles are frequently services and the essential parts such as tyres and brakes are fit for use for long distance. The management and even the board members of the transport companies assure that the companies have stringent systems of bus and lorry maintenance to be adhered to, failing which the vehicles should not be allowed to ply the roads. It should be part of the transport companies’ policy and culture on road safety.
The Road Transport Department is well advised to focus on good skills in driving, but also on other aspects, such as understanding defensive driving and good driving ethics. Malaysian drivers can be very unethical on the road, though they could be refined elsewhere. Hence, good driving ethics must be equally emphasised in driving lessons and tests. Lest we may be monsters on the roads.
The point to be emphasised here is for authorities not to just focus on technical competency in driving but also on good driving behaviour and culture.
There may be other aspects of driving and road safety that can be considered, but they can be thought of only if there are detailed reports of road accidents which are made public. We are sure many NGOs are concerned with the many incidents of road accidents and their grave consequences. It is not just a matter of statistics on accidents, but they have a deep implication on our road laws, driving competency, road designs, and our culture as a whole in respect of giving attention to safety in driving.
In the latter matter, we often see Malaysian drivers not using safety belts, driving while their babies and children are not in child seats, showing their anger and displeasure to other drivers in the face of a slight irritation.
It must also be said that there can be increasing cases of driving while intoxicated (DWI) especially in cases of accidents at late nights or during the wee hours of the mornings.
Certainly, the authorities have the duty to continuously remind society of the dangers and consequences of carelessness and recklessness in driving in society. Lest we forget, the loss of lives, especially of the loved ones from accidents, is but one of these grave consequences. — July 27, 2025
Tan Sri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob is an Adjunct Professor at the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya