Thursday, August 31, 2023

A Merdeka drive towards safer roads

 

On every anniversary of our remarkable nation’s independence, I tend to reflect on what drives the nation. This time, however, I thought it would be good to reflect on how the nation drives.

The first thing that comes to mind is that while Malaysia boasts an expansive and much envied highway and road network, our road manners are lacking and could use a refresher.

Disregard for traffic rules

Malaysia’s roadways are teeming with motorists who consistently overlook traffic laws.

We are not talking about isolated cases involving a few rogue drivers but a widespread culture of non-compliance.

Day in and day out, we see rule breakers whose actions do not just endanger themselves and other road users but also set a risky example for future drivers.

Influencing the younger generation

We must understand that our young boys and girls, tomorrow’s Malaysian drivers, are observing and absorbing our perilous driving behaviour.

Instead of being taught safety and courtesy, they are being indoctrinated into a world where aggressive driving and law-breaking are the norm.

Needless to say, this sets a dangerous trajectory for the future state and safety of our roads.

Dire consequences

Such a driving culture has already shown staggering repercussions.

Malaysia faces not just heightened accident rates but also increasing instances of road bullying, road rage incidents and disputes.

The gravest statistic that stands out is our nation’s road fatality rate.

Malaysia tragically witnesses the loss of over 7,000 lives in road accidents every year, placing us among the top countries globally for such unfortunate incidents.

Transitioning to digital

To address this, Malaysia must adopt comprehensive online systems for all vehicular matters.

This includes streamlining processes like vehicle registration, buying and selling transactions, road tax payments, driving license renewals, insurance, and parking and toll payments.

A digital approach and a nationwide method of dealing with administrative matters, similar to the system executed in the UK under the auspices of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), will provide better oversight, ensure compliance and foster responsibility.

Enforcing the ‘Kejara’ System

Introduced in 2017, the Kesalahan Jalan Raya (Kejara) system penalises traffic offenders with demerit points.

Despite its introduction and gazetting in 2018, enforcement remains lax.

It is imperative that we look seriously into reviving it, mount a comprehensive campaign, and then implement and rigorously enforce the system.

Only when drivers realise that they risk losing their driving privileges will we see a shift towards greater respect for road laws.

Conclusion

The road ahead is challenging, but with the right systems and enforcement in place, we can steer our nation towards safer driving habits and a more respectful motoring culture.

The possibility of a driving ban upon being hit by the ultimate penalty of 40 demerit points could be the deterrent we desperately need.

Happy Merdeka Day to all. Hati-hati di jalan raya. -- FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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