How car-centric planning is killing Malaysians

 

From Boo Jia Cher

Recent reports of Malaysia’s escalating road crashes are an indictment of our nation’s failure to protect its people. Year after year, countless lives are lost and families are shattered. This senseless slaughter cannot continue. We must address the root causes of this crisis and ensure that our roads are no longer killing fields.

The root cause: car dependency

Malaysia’s reliance on cars, even in urban hubs like the Klang Valley, is largely fuelled by car-centric infrastructure such as highways and wide roads, alongside a lack of pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly facilities. This forces people to depend on cars and motorcycles, making road crashes more likely and creating dangerous conditions for road users.

Urban sprawl, which prioritises cars over walkable communities, further entrenches this dependence. While historic cities like George Town in Penang offer compact, walkable neighbourhoods with easy access to amenities, sprawling suburbs in the Klang Valley force residents to rely on cars for even the most basic errands, increasing their time on the road and the risk of crashes.

Motorcyclists in particular bear a disproportionate share of the burden in road crash statistics. Many rely on motorcycles for their affordability. Many have bad habits like riding without helmets or carrying entire families on a single bike. Combined with the sheer volume of cars, trucks and other motorcycles on the road, the result is dangerous and often tragic situations.

The toll of car-centricity

Road crashes in Malaysia often result in deaths or life-changing injuries, leaving victims with disabilities or emotional trauma such as PTSD. Families also face long-term caregiving burdens and grief.

Road crashes also strain the healthcare system and result in costly medical bills, inability to work, and property damage. Rising insurance premiums and legal fees add to the financial burden on individuals and the economy.

Meanwhile, vehicle emissions pollute the air, contributing to respiratory illnesses and climate change. Runoff from roads contaminates water bodies while road construction destroys natural habitats, reducing biodiversity and causing soil erosion. Noise pollution from traffic further affects residents’ well-being.

Expanding and maintaining road networks also demands significant investments, often at the expense of public transportation systems that could reduce car reliance. Chronic traffic jams waste time, fuel and energy, reducing productivity and increasing transportation costs for businesses, thereby reducing Malaysia’s competitiveness on the global stage.

In terms of public health, poor air quality from vehicle emissions contributes to respiratory diseases, and prolonged exposure to emissions increases the risk of neurological disorders.

Car-dependent urban planning discourages physical activity, contributing to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Approximately 30% of Malaysians are overweight, while 20% are obese, highlighting the urgent need for active transportation options like walking and cycling.

Spread-out suburbs also fragment communities, reducing face-to-face interactions, causing social isolation and weakening community bonds in an already fragmented Malaysian society. Those without cars face limited mobility, deepening social inequality.

Toward a less car-centric future

Malaysia’s reckless car-centric culture has long brushed aside road fatalities as an inevitable consequence, with motorcycle crashes serving primarily as a grim testament to this disregard for human life. The high number of road deaths, now eclipsing Covid-19 fatalities, demands immediate and decisive action.

The most effective way to reduce road accidents is to reduce the need for cars and motorcycles. We must curb urban sprawl by implementing strict urban growth boundaries and penalising developers who build new developments far from essential amenities.

Recent news about thousands of hectares of permanent forest reserve in Peninsular Malaysia illegally cleared for various purposes including agriculture and development highlights this problem. How much of our natural environment has been sacrificed for greedy developers and corrupt officials to accumulate wealth?

Instead, we should focus on revitalising existing urban areas by creating vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhoods with easy access to essential amenities. Investing in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, such as well-designed sidewalks and bike lanes, can promote healthier lifestyles, reduce traffic and improve air quality. Well-designed pedestrian and bike lanes make it safer and more convenient for people to move around without relying on cars.

We must urgently expand the KTM network across the nation and establish robust bus systems in every urban centre. This will drastically curtail car dependency. By providing frequent, reliable and well-maintained public transportation, we can incentivise people to abandon their cars in favour of buses and trains.

Integrating public transportation with residential, commercial, and recreational zones will foster walkable and bike-friendly cities, thereby promoting healthier lifestyles and alleviating traffic congestion.

Finally, road design plays a crucial role in reducing crashes. Implementing measures like roundabouts, narrower roads and traffic calming techniques can slow down traffic and create safer environments for road users. Reducing speeds in residential and commercial areas, especially near schools, can further mitigate the severity of crashes.

Malaysia’s car-centric culture is a rotting wound, infecting our nation with road violence, environmental decay and social inequality. This plague is far more destructive than Covid-19, yet we shrug it off with reckless indifference.

The government’s inaction is a betrayal of our future. We demand immediate and decisive action. By prioritising sustainable urban planning, strong public transportation, and active mobility, Malaysia can rise from this car-bound grave and forge a future of safety and health for all. - FMT

Boo Jia Cher is an FMT reader.

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