SELANGOR Wanita MCA is going on a campaign to educate non-commercial vehicle drivers and passengers on road safety.

Its chief Datuk Ong Chong Swen said it was a ruling that Puspakom inspect commercial vehicles and hold talks for drivers.

“However, this is not compulsory for non-commercial vehicles, and drivers need to be more responsible.

“Studies show that 80% of accidents occur due to human error while the remaining 20% is caused by poorly maintained vehicles.

“An estimated 7,000 people are dying on the roads each year and the number is on the rise. We are very concerned about human fatalities on Malaysian roads, which mostly are motorcyclists.

“Studies also showed that Malaysia is ranked one of the top 10 countries in the world for road accidents.

Nizamuddin showing the participants two helmets, one with Sirim  certification and another without.

“In fact, from 2008 to June 2017, there were 64,717 road fatalities recorded in Malaysia as those aged 20 and below are involved in accidents.

“This is a frightening figure and we are doing our part in trying to reduce the number by organising the safety talk,” said Ong, who launched the “drivesafenoregrets” Safety Talk at Puspakom in Section 28, Shah Alam last Saturday.

The free talk, organised by Puspakom, with partnership of Selangor Wanita MCA, Road Safety Department (JKJR) and Caltex, had 80 participants attending with three speakers – Selangor JKJR officer Nizamuddin Mohd Sahil, Chevron Malaysia technology support specialist Bakar Agil and Puspakom Liaison and Advisory Department Operations head Datuk Ooi Win Juat – sharing their views on road safety and providing safety tips.

Registered participants received a Puspakom Voluntary Vehicle inspection voucher worth RM50.

Datuk Ong Chong Swen

Ong added that next year, Selangor Wanita MCA would hold talks with Puspakom in all nine districts in the state.

“We also plan to spread awareness about road safety to young and new drivers as many of them would most likely speed on the road having just got their driving licence.

“We will target road users, especially motorcyclists, as accidents involving them are mostly fatal,” said Ong.

“The voucher given also allows the driver to go for vehicle inspection and know what is wrong with the vehicle before sending it for service.

“This allows vehicle owners to be aware about their vehicle’s condition,” she said.

-The Star-