Carnage on the roads

Looking at the road fatalities over the last few days leading up to Hari Raya the scenario does not appear to have improved over the last year. The authorities have still not taken into consideration many of the recommendations made by CAP.

The average fatality rate for last year was 18 per day. However, from the road deaths reported over the last few days we have exceeded this figure. We can also expect to surpass the 6,872 total fatalities reported last year.

The authorities have been often too quick to blame drivers, but is it always the case? Several fatal accidents reported recently were due to sudden loss of control of vehicles.

As a country manufacturing our own national cars and motorcycles, we are still lagging behind in vehicle safety:

• The quality of local vehicles, whether imported or manufactured here are lower than those in advanced countries. Safety standards in our auto industry is badly wanting;

• Tyres are the most neglected category of the auto industry. We see an increasing trend in accidents caused by tyre failure, yet there is no serious effort from any sector to remedy this or find out what caused those tyres to fail;

• We need a recall system for defective vehicles. Elsewhere, Honda and Toyota recalled millions of cars for defective airbags, sticky pedals and steering rods, but very little if any is heard of locally;

• Sub-standard and fake spare parts are sold freely everywhere and should be taken off the shelves;

• Our workshops should be regulated and mechanics should provide professional services;

• In UK cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles more than 3 years old after their first registration have to be inspected for roadworthiness, and thereafter at least once a year. Here the law is currently applied to commercial vehicles and for transfer of car ownership only.

Since express buses have become a popular mode of intercity travel the following needs to be done:

• Stop the wee-hour bus services;

• A study should be undertaken to see whether the double-decker buses in use are suited for our roads. New permits should be withheld until the study is over and wearing of seat belt is made mandatory in all express buses;

• Our local buses were found to have weak body structure, especially the roof design and poor seat anchorage which caused many fatalities during crashes. We have already adopted the UN ECE Regulations 66, 80 & 36 for bus design and construction about two years ago. These should be enforced in stages without further delay;

• Enforce the Safety Health and Environment Code of Practice (SHE COP) for proper commercial vehicle driver management without further delay.

Illegal driving has been a serious issue especially by under-aged children who are not mature enough to act fast during emergencies. They have a tendency to take risk and speed recklessly. The current age limit for motorcyclists is 16. CAP has all the time advocated that within the age of 17 to 20 a person may be allowed to ride a moped or 50cc motorcycle. At the age of 21 they may qualify for higher engine capacity.

It has taken so long for defensive driving skills to be introduced for new drivers. That alone is inadequate. What about the old drivers? They need retraining periodically. The Road Transport Department should ensure that old drivers are retested before driver licences are renewed.

It has been reported that 40% of fatalities occurred on Federal roads and 25% on state roads. Poor lighting, signage, bad road surface and Chevron marking on roads have contributed to making road conditions the third highest cause of road accidents in the country.

CAP urges all motorists to give extra attention to road safety. The authorities should implement without further delay the recommendations advocated by CAP:

• Ensure vehicle safety;

• Limit the age for motorcyclists;

• Introduce defensive driving, retrain and test all drivers periodically;

•Improve road conditions along federal and state roads.

Press Statement – 27 August 2011