MIRI: The alarming state of road safety in Sarawak has come under scrutiny, with fresh statistics shedding light on the region’s persistent challenges.
Speaking at a road safety campaign held at a fuel station in Permyjaya on Monday (Jan 20) in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations, Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin stressed the need for unwavering efforts to reduce traffic accidents and save lives.
“Every statistic represents a life affected, a family impacted. Our commitment to raising road safety awareness remains steadfast, as we strive to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Lee.
According to the police, Sarawak recorded 21,733 traffic accident cases in 2024, reflecting a 1.5 per cent increase from the 21,418 cases reported in 2023.
Of these, the majority (20,979 cases) were classified as “damage-only” accidents, marking a rise of 416 cases compared to 2023.
On a positive note, fatal accidents in Sarawak decreased to 362 in 2024, compared to 378 the previous year.
Serious accidents also dropped to 137 cases, down from 150 in 2023, while minor accidents saw a significant reduction, falling from 327 cases in 2023 to 255 in 2024.
In Miri specifically, the total number of accidents decreased by 3 per cent, with 3,516 cases in 2024 compared to 3,626 in 2023.
However, the number of fatal accidents rose sharply, from 44 in 2023 to 62 in 2024. Serious accidents dropped to 10 cases from 18, minor accidents decreased to 34 from 41, and damage-only incidents fell to 3,410 from 3,523.
The Sarawak Police Headquarters Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) attributed 95 per cent of accidents to driver negligence and carelessness.
Specific causes included rear-end collisions (32.4%); speeding and losing control (21.5%); side collisions at intersections (21.5%); head-on collisions (4.5%); sideswipes (5.5%) and other causes (9.6%).
An increase in the number of vehicles on the road accounted for 3 per cent of incidents, while weather conditions, road infrastructure, and challenging terrain contributed to 2 per cent.
A recent fatal accident at Jalan Teo Kui Seng in Kuching, which claimed five lives, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of reckless driving.
Lee called for stricter adherence to traffic laws, noting the need for all drivers to prioritise safety.
“It is illegal for individuals below the minimum driving age to operate a vehicle. Parents and guardians must ensure that unlicensed individuals do not drive. This is essential for their safety and the safety of all road users,” he stressed.
