IDENTIFY PROBLEM

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Road Accidents and Fatalities in Malaysia

A road accident, often known as a "traffic collision" or a "motor vehicle accident," happens when a moving vehicle collides with another vehicle, a stationary object, a person, or an animal on a highway. These are seen as unanticipated and regrettable occurrence that poses a major threat to both the community and the authorities. Car accidents have major effects, including property damage and severe injuries or death in certain cases. All these things are going to cost a lot of money.

In terms of the method used to track road crashes and deaths, there are two types of crash data gathering. The Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) has authorised one and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Study has conducted research on the other (MIROS). RMP's investigation is based on the Road Transport Act of 1987 and covers all levels of collision severity on the spot. MIROS is a research-based technique to identify crash and injury variables that include human, engineering, and environmental elements, using two criteria: retrospective and on-the-spot analysis.

                                        Figure 1: Malaysia Road Accident 2010 - 2019

Figure 2: Malaysia Road Fatalities 2010 - 2019​​

Covid effect on road accidents

COVID-19 hit the world in 2020, and most governments used innovative methods to stop it from spreading, such as issuing a movement restriction order that prohibited inter-state travel. To combat the spread of COVID-19, Malaysia implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Standard Operation Producers (SOP). In the early phases, commercial activities other than necessary business were permitted, and in the later stages, the government supported the use of a work-from-home system. In addition, schools and universities were shuttered, and home-based teaching and learning became the norm. COVID-19, in a nutshell, has impeded economic progress while also having a significant social impact. Nonetheless, reduced human mobility and commercial activity have provided the ecosystem with much-needed rest for it to recuperate.

The MCO has had a good influence on the reduction of road accident cases in Malaysia by restricting industrial activity and people's mobility on the road. For the first time since 1990, the rate of traffic accidents decreased significantly in 2020. The number of road accidents decreased by 26.3 percent in 2020 (to 418,237 incidents), compared to a 3.4 percent increase in 2019 (to 149,279 instances). Furthermore, 4,634 deaths were reported due to vehicle accidents in 2020, compared to 6,167 deaths the previous year. During the implementation of the MCO, there was a reduction of 1,533 fatalities.

Selangor had the most road accidents in 2020, with 123,230 occurrences, a reduction of 26.7 percent from the previous year (168,222 cases). Johor (58,207 instances) and W.P. Kuala Lumpur came in second and third, respectively (50,215 cases). Perlis (1,615 instances), Terengganu (9,152 cases), and Kelantan were the three states with the lowest number of road accident cases (9,752 cases).

Why or reason for the issue 

Accidents are caused by a variety of factors, including inattention, irresponsible driving, a lack of sufficient protection, speeding, bad personal habits, social and behavioural misbehaviour, and impolite drivers of larger cars. Motorcycle fatal accidents (60 percent) are a major source of worry in Malaysia. The vulnerable age category includes young children and older individuals.

Because of the large number of victims involved and the significance of the repercussions for individuals and their families, road traffic accidents are now regarded as a major public health hazard.

Driving Drunk or Under the Influence

Following a string of tragic road incidents involving drivers suspected of driving while drunk with alcohol, drink driving has resurfaced as a hot subject in Malaysia.

Drink driving incidents resulted in 539 people being critically hurt from 2011 to 2018, according to the same Transport Ministry statistics, and 595 people suffering minor injuries during the same eight-year period.

Beating the Red Light

Many drivers are unaware that the red signal does not indicate a need to accelerate. Its purpose is to encourage cars to slow down. When you consider that over half a million summonses were issued in KL in 2021 for running a red light, you can see how frequent the offence is. The dangers are not worth taking seriously.

Oleh Ahmad Hasbi - Mei 26, 2022 @ 5:23pm bhnews@bh.com.my

SEREMBAN: A Form Five student died after he was believed to have violated a red traffic light before crashing into a lorry while on his way to school at the Jalan Tunku Kursiah intersection, here, this morning.

Seremban District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Nanda Maarof said, in the incident at 8.45 am, the victim suffered severe head injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene.

"The accident involved a Honda RS150 motorcycle ridden by a 17 -year -old boy who is also a secondary school student in Sikamat was moving directly from Seremban towards Sikamat.

“Upon arriving at the scene, the victim was a motorcyclist suspected of ignoring a red traffic light.

How the problem happened

Our country is one of the countries with the highest number of deaths as a result

high accident. Road accidents have not only been devastating but also devastating

environment and facilities available on the road. So, there are many

the causes that we should study to understand the problem of road accidents so

can reduce this accident rate.

In general, what we can conclude as the cause of traffic accidents is due to the attitude of the individual himself. Although not all, but there are a handful of drivers or motorists who only think of themselves without caring about others. These people may think that they are a very efficient and prudent road user when in fact they are not.

It is enough for only one road user to behave like that, then the risk of accidents on the road that occur will increase even higher.

In our country, however, it can be observed that many individuals are irresponsible when they are on the road!

Reference: 

• https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/kes/2022/05/959640/langgar-lampu-isyarat-pelajar-tingkatan-5-maut-rempuh-lori
• https://www.mot.gov.my/en/land/safety/road-accident-and-facilities