Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the tragedy raised serious questions over whether there was a need for the Immigration Department vehicle to rush to Chow Kit to pick up detainees following an enforcement operation.
He said the detainees would have already been under the supervision of enforcement personnel, making it questionable whether there was any urgency that warranted rushing to the scene.
"Was there a necessity to rush towards Chow Kit to pick up those who had already been arrested?
"I believe the enforcement authorities would have had enough personnel to ensure there was no escape," he told the New Straits Times.
Lee said the vehicle could have travelled to the location without rushing through traffic, stressing that traffic lights must be obeyed regardless of the time of day.
He said even at 1am, motorists and pedestrians could still be on the road and drivers had a responsibility to take their safety into consideration.
Lee said the deaths could have been prevented had traffic rules been followed, describing the tragedy as an important lesson for enforcement agencies and all road users.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility. It is the responsibility of the government, law enforcement agencies, the public and everyone.
"I hope this is something the Immigration Department and other agencies will always bear in mind, when they are on the road, they have to follow traffic rules.
"Unless there is an escort vehicle to escort them through, they have to comply with the law and, most importantly, take road safety into account," he said.
Lee also extended his condolences to the family of the three victims killed in the accident.
The accident occurred at the Maju Junction traffic light intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail here about 1am yesterday. - NST
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