I refer “Miros: Lorry extensions dangerous” and “CSI zooms in on road crashes” (Star,January 7).
The unfortunate death of 45-year-old Jamaliah Jawan who was killed after colliding into a lorry's overhang on the North-South Expressway was really very distressing. Deaths due to such freak accidents should not have occurred at all if only some basic precautionary measures were observed by all concerned. They are basically due to our carelessness and inconsiderate so called "tidak apa" attitude that is sadly threatening to become our culture.
Danger extension: The lorry involved in the accident that killed Jamaliah Jawan
near the Tapah rest area on Wednesday and the wreck of Jamaliah's car (below).
The lorry's overhang pierced the windshield in the fatal accident(Star,7 Jan 08)
Overhangs may be necessary accessories on lorries to transport long pipes and other extended items especially when navigating a narrow road but they have to strictly adhere to the set guidelines in place for ensuring safety of other road users. Being road users ourselves, we are only too familiar with overloaded lorries with overhangs speeding past,least perturbed by the risks they pose to others innocent motorists.
Damaged Peordua Myvi(Star,7Jan,08)
The enforcement officers should come hard on these drivers and the owners of such lorries who flout the law and those who do not comply with the stipulated safety measures regarding the use of these overhangs. It is more important to eliminate these death traps from our roads and highways than to be not preoccupied with booking those who occasionally exceed their speed limits by 10-20km/hr.on a clear stretch of the highway.
It is encouraging that the government has set up the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), similar to American Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), which is dead serious in trying to study the causes of such fatal crashes and come with ways to overcome such mishaps. The government should seriously consider all their suggestions and act promptly to implement them wherever possible. We offer our heartiest wishes to its director-general Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi and his small team of dedicated officers in their endeavors to reduce road deaths.
Miros rightly concluded that a combination of three factors caused the accidents – human error, vehicle and road conditions. These factors can be regulated to a large extent by us. Being careful on the road and having adequate rest before driving can go a long way to reduce human error. Regular inspection and proper maintenance of vehicles will also help reduce accidents. The authorities should carry out regular maintenance of the roads as stipulated. These measures would undeniably help to reduce road accident rate and the deaths that accompany them.
The most deadly factor that needs to be added to this list is the total inconsiderate and selfish attitude of operators and drivers especially of heavy vehicles. They behave as though they have total monopoly of the roads with total disregard for the safety of other motorists. Their only motive is to reach their destinations in the quickest possible time at all costs so as to generate maximum profits. This last factor can only be overcome by our right attitude to life, which needs to be instilled by education from an early age.
Deaths on Malaysian roads are unacceptably high by any standards, taking a heavy toll on the lives of useful, young and healthy citizens. The government, the enforcement agencies, road maintenance agencies and the road users themselves have important roles in the combat against this menace which is becoming the number one national killer.
Dr.Chris Anthony
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