Thursday, January 27, 2022

Govt launches drive to reduce 50% of road deaths by 2030

 

Transport minister Wee Ka Siong says road accidents claimed 4,634 lives in 2020, and 3,302 lives up to September 2021.

PUTRAJAYA: The Road Safety Plan will focus on reducing the number of deaths from road accidents by at least 50% by 2030, said transport minister Wee Ka Siong.

He said the plan, which will be in force from 2022 to 2030, was also expected to improve road safety and protect the welfare of road users.

“It will be a multi-pronged approach among the government, the police, the road transport department (JPJ) and other enforcement agencies,” he said.

Wee said 418,237 road accidents were recorded in 2020, with 4,634 deaths. As of September 2021, a total of 255,532 road accidents were reported, with 3,302 deaths.

“Deaths from road accidents declined sharply in 2020, due to the movement control order which reduced the number of vehicles on the road as well as road casualties,” he said at the launch of the Integrated Operation and Road Safety campaign in conjunction with Chinese New Year.

He, however, noted that heavier traffic and road accidents had been recorded since the interstate travel ban was lifted on Oct 11, 2021, following the full opening of economic sectors.

A total of 23,208 road accidents were reported, with 230 deaths, during the Op Selamat Tahun Baru Cina in 2020.

For this Chinese New Year, Wee said, the integrated enforcement operation will last until Feb 8. The operation will involve the police and 2,200 JPJ officers.

On the safety of motorcyclists, Wee said he had an engagement session with e-hailing company Grab recently. He said the session focused on improving the company’s food riders’ road behaviour.

“A policy will be drafted soon on how to ensure that these riders are more disciplined and responsible when on the road,” he said. - FMT

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