Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has expressed concern over the growing incidence of accidents on Sarawak roads.
According to a report from the Royal Malaysia Police Department, he said the state recorded 27,793 road accidents in 2022 compared to 23,861 cases in 2020, accounting for an increase of 16 per cent.
“As of April this year, there were 9,504 accident cases recorded in Sarawak. Based on these statistics, motorcar vehicles recorded the highest numbers accounting for more than half the total cases, followed by four-wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles,” he said in his ministerial winding up speech during the DUN sitting on today (May 22)
Lee said the ministry viewed road safety seriously and is implementing various programmes and initiatives under the Sarawak Road Safety Council (SRSC) to increase public awareness on road safety.
He said the Transport-Awareness Behavioural Change (ABC) Programme sought to address road user behaviour and improve road safety.
“We are aware that irresponsible behaviour of road users is one of the major factors contributing to unsafe road use and road congestion.
“Provision of transport infrastructures and systems alone cannot solve traffic congestion if we do not cast away risky and dangerous behaviour on the road,” he added.
The ABC programme, he said, comprises a series of awareness activities on road safety for road users, alertness on traffic regulations and to increase the usage of public transport.
Through this, he said the ministry hopes to engineer a change in the behaviour and attitude towards road safety, traffic regulations and enforcement measures and to promote the use of public transport.
