Check the installation of video screens in road vehicles

As a road safety measure, the transport authorities should ensure that video screens in road vehicles are installed only for passenger viewing. Drivers should pay full attention to the road and not resort to video entertainment while driving.

On 17 Jan 2012 a lorry in Johor was reported to have caused a six-vehicle pile up involving two fatalities. The lorry was installed with a video player and screen.

Buses, vans, passenger cars and taxis which ferry passengers over long distances may require video equipment to keep passengers entertained. Therefore, the video screens in these vehicles should be fitted in such a manner that only the passengers are able to view the screen.

Malaysia has a bad road safety record of 23 fatalities per 100,000 population, which is considered to be one of the highest in the world. The number of registered vehicles on the road as of 31 Dec 2011 reached 21,401,199 causing increasing traffic congestion and distraction. Therefore, the attention of drivers should not be further compromised.

CAP urges the authorities to ensure that the installation of video screens in all road vehicles has been correctly done.

19 January 2012