TMM,Monday 5 September 2011
Public transportation expert Prof Dr Abdul Rahim Nor said recently the only way to overcome incompetent driving is to revise the driving school syllabus.
Bearing in mind that anyone who has to sit for an exam will naturally focus on passing rather than learning, revising the syllabus alone may not produce the desired outcome.
Competency-based-training (CBT) for work-based learning may be more suitable as it has no fixed time-frame. Some can be certified competent within a short time while others take longer. However, implementing CBT for awarding of driving licences would pose new challenges.
As for road safety, the experts tell us that education, engineering and enforcement are the three major factors. I would add ‘example’ to make it ‘4Es’ and offer some suggestions to make them more effective.
* First, education. It includes road users such as motorists, cyclists and pedestrians plus the authorities. Many of those entrusted with public responsibilities lack the expertise or care as custodians. The approval criteria for locally built truck and bus bodies are one example.
* Second, engineering. I am waiting for the day when motor vehicle manufacturers connect a wire from the horns to the headlights. Think about how many collisions could have been avoided and lives saved, if the headlights would automatically flash when the horn button is pressed in an emergency. Warning sounds can hardly be heard in noisy environment such as when the stereo is at full blast or in heavy rain.
Uncovered potholes not only damage tyres and suspension but also cause accidents as drivers either brake or swerve suddenly to avoid them. Motorists respond similarly upon sighting a badly repaired stretch or puddle on the road.
* Third, enforcement. The authorities should not overspend to hire an army of enforcement officers or wait for sufficient budget to install thousands of static cameras. Without having to spend another ringgit, traffic offenders can be caught on mobile cameras instead of allowing them to get away with impunity.
The Royal Malaysian Police, Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Commission should appoint private corporations to hire camera crews to videotape traffic offences. As payment is based on the evidence submitted, the exercise is not only self-funding but also highly profitable.
* Fourth, example. Upon getting their driver’s licence, what was learnt in driving school is quickly thrown out the window, as new drivers would ape other motorists to show that they are just as good. However, most will end up just as bad by following others to stay cool.
When traffic lights take too long to change and there is no oncoming traffic, the head of the queue driving off often lead the rest to follow. The first car switching to the emergency lane in congested traffic is bound to open the floodgate.
Under ideal conditions, driving at high speed is not dangerous. Rushing is the cause of reckless driving and is unsafe at any speed, including reversing. Inconsiderate driving is due to poor driving skills and attitude. They are all contagious and can only be stopped with radical measures.
Offenders caught on camera or by patrol officers should be given a 30-day period to report at any Road Transport Department They are to be interviewed and if necessary, undergo counselling to curb their bad driving habits or training to improve their driving skills.
Millions of summonses issued have not proved to be deterrence. Perhaps, the fear of having to spend time for counselling or training would induce many motorists to behave behind the wheel.
The lifestyles of many Malaysians indicate that they give scant regard to death or ill health as 60 per cent of the adult population is overweight or obese due to overeating and lack of exercise.
Convenience and enjoyment are given greater importance. It is common to see illegal or double parking as walking a short distance can be too much hard work. A little effort often separates the difference between success and failure, but many stop short.
Road safety measures must take into account such common behaviour in order to be effective. Meanwhile, can we act on what we already know, including the pointers given by Prof Dr Abdul Rahim Nor, who is also the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Social Development and Environmental Studies head?
Road safety has always been the flavour of the week, come any major festival or road disaster. Talk is cheap and sadly so is life on Malaysian roads.
Nevertheless, Malaysians have also shown to be deeply caring. Rescue teams have no qualms risking life and injury in search of missing persons or bodies, regardless of who the victims are. We can be equally generous and wasteful with our food, money and time. The Malaysian paradox can be quite fascinating and disgusting.
Road safety can only be transformed when motorists are made to realise that they cannot gamble with lives such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or using the hand phone.
Rehabilitating repeat offenders should include visits to the casualty wards of hospitals and prison quarters to drive the point home. Viewing documentaries on the heartaches of broken families and pains of limbs and lives lost in road accidents would also help.
Drivers must constantly be aware that they are handling a potential killer machine and their behaviour on the road reflects who they really are. Lack of courtesy in our society is clearly manifested on our roads.
As such, greater importance ought to be in place to promote better driving and road safety in Malaysia, benefiting both the locals and visitors alike.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
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