What is the government doing to curb rising road accidents?

It is time to implement effective measures to improve road safety

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

Should we hold the government accountable for the soaring road number of accidents and fatal tragedies on Malaysian roadways? 

Politicians should wake up to the harsh reality that law-abiding road users may hold the government responsible for the crisis on our roads today. 

Now and then, we come across media reports of some ‘operasi’ (crackdown), carried out by the police and the Road Transport Department. But we do not see any convincing improvements on our roads, which are turning into ‘killing fields’. 

Malaysian roads are inundated with overloaded lorries, Mat Rempits, and vehicles that are not roadworthy with questionable approvals.

We often see them motorists abusing emergency lanes, beating traffic lights, speeding, cutting lanes and overtaking dangerously.

These are becoming common sights along roads across the country. 

They seem to prove that current policies and laws are inadequate to address the crisis.

So we should be seeing some urgency and action taken by MPs in Parliament. Yet, is this happening?

If the police are understaffed and lack patrol cars and motorbikes, why is this the case?

Is the government living in fear of a transport industry boycott in response to frequent police clampdowns? Are they fearful of commercial vehicle owners who do not keep their lorries, vans and buses in good shape or who do not take steps to ensure their drivers observe road rules?

When potholes are not repaired fast enough, why are local authorities and highway concessionaire operators not hauled up? Is the government’s indifference to blame? 

Law-abiding road users are getting annoyed and losing hope in the government, given the decades of negligence and indifference to the growing tragic situations on our roads. 

READ MORE:  Time to jettison privatised vehicle inspections

When will we see effective measures taken and implemented? 

Or should we accept the government’s explanation that the volume of motor vehicles has outgrown the capacity of our roads and so the rise in road accidents is inevitable?

The responsibility of resolving this situation has now landed on the government. 

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support Aliran's work with an online donation. Scan this QR code using your mobile phone e-wallet or banking app:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments