A tragic car accident put me in a wheelchair and dashed my hopes and dreams for the future.
– Madison Cawthorn, Ex-US Congressman
Many of us have likely heard or read about the spike in the number of road accidents in the country at regular intervals, all too often.
The reports and news came in such frequencies that we seemed to have resigned to the fact that more road mishaps are inevitable. Sadly, many Malaysians will lose their lives as a result.
This news item is not uncommon. For example, in a recent report in The Sun newspaper, it is estimated that one motorcyclist or pillion rider dies every two hours in Malaysia, according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
A senior JPJ officer revealed that fatal accidents involving motorcyclists have increased from 6,080 cases in 2022 to 6,344 cases in 2023.
“This shows an eight per cent increase in cases. From the figures, about 4,000 of those who died were motorcyclists, with an average of one fatal accident occurring every two hours,” he said.
Another news item like this one no longer surprises Malaysians too. A recent study has shown that Malaysia ranked third in the highest road fatalities out of 27 countries.
The Transport Ministry said that Malaysia had one accident recorded every minute in 2022, and according to a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), these accidents are mainly caused by ‘human behaviour.’
Malaysia has recently been on the international radar for road safety after a study showed that the country had recorded 22.48 road deaths per 100,000 people, ranking it in third place. Thailand took second place, and Saudi Arabia was ranked first in road fatalities with 35.94 road deaths per 100,000 people on the list of countries where you are most likely to die on the road.
So, why are we at this horrifying stage, and why does nothing seem to improve despite repeated road safety campaigns initiated by the government and other concerned groups?
Are Malaysians such bad drivers, and are our motorcyclists so ill-mannered on the road, showing no respect for traffic rules and regulations?
MIROS has pointed to “human behaviour” as a major cause, so the above is probably true. A significant portion of accidents result from simple human error—whether it’s distracted driving, misjudging speed, or failing to follow road signs. Even experienced drivers can make mistakes.
Recall the last time you were involved in a road accident. Do you know who was at fault? If you concede you were in the wrong, then you must find out why you made the mistake of causing the accident.
We must learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them. Seriously, the next time we make the same mistake, we might not be around to tell the story.
Sadly, many young people lost their lives in their prime due to road accidents. There is every possibility that these young drivers may be influenced by peers to engage in risky behaviours like speeding or drag racing, which increases the likelihood of accidents. The notorious “Mat Rempit” motorcycle racers are the best-known road nuisance in Malaysia.
Then, there are infrastructure issues as well. Poorly designed roads, lack of proper signage, and inadequate lighting can also contribute to accidents, regardless of how cautious the driver is.
However, there are many superhighways in West Malaysia, and Sarawak and Sabah now have the newly completed Pan Borneo Highway. We have witnessed many road crashes on these highways too.
Last week, I took the opportunity to travel by road from Miri to Kuching to see and ride on the Pan Borneo Highway for the first time.
While it’s nowhere near the standard of the North-South Expressway on the peninsula, Sarawakians should not complain. Hey, there is no toll on the Pan Borneo Highway. So, let’s count our blessings.
However, it is sad that we have heard of road mishaps, including fatal ones, on the new highway already. Expect more to come; road accidents will happen. So, it isn’t a surprise to hear Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil expressing his concern over the spike in the number of road accidents in Sarawak.
He said figures from the police showed that the number of fatal accidents and deaths in Sarawak due to road accidents in 2023 was more than in the previous year, with 378 fatal accidents and 428 fatalities.
This figure shows an increase of 11.7 per cent compared to 2022, he said, adding that the report also stated that the main cause of accidents was driver negligence and carelessness, accounting for 85 per cent of the total number of cases.
What else can I say to my fellow road users except “Be alert on the road, be disciplined, obey traffic rules, and ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy? Drive safely, everyone.”
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
