In 2023, there were nearly 6,443 road fatalities or an average of 18 deaths in road accidents every day. Road accidents constitute a serious public health challenge to the nation.  In 2003, accidents were the fifth principal cause of deaths in Malaysia. In 2023, transport accidents remain within the top five at fourth place. 20 years have passed, but despite this, the situation on road accidents and fatalities has not changed.

In 2022, Malaysia recorded one road accident per minute, with 1,494 accidents per day. Every 86 minutes, a person would lose their life. In view of these staggering statistics, we call upon the Ministry of Transport (MoT) as the lead policy-decision agency to re-examine the issue of road safety and to take them seriously.

There are 3 critical causes of road accidents: human factors, mechanical or engineering factors, and road conditions.

Driver behaviours or human factors are one of the leading causes of accidents.  According to a report by Kurnia Insurance, the five most common causes of accidents related to drivers’ behaviour are: Speeding; Using Mobile Phones while Driving; Distracted Driving; Reckless, Dangerous or Aggressive Driving, and Running the Red Light. Driver behaviour is often influenced by the frequency of their travels, leading to fatigue, drowsiness, and carelessness.

Recent bus accidents, as well as several fatal accidents involving large trucks and trailer containers, have drawn significant attention. Road users have found themselves increasingly concerned with their safety, fearing for their lives.

In light of this, I have reviewed relevant research reports and gathered data, including the weight distribution of container trucks and the design issues related to their load-bearing capacity. I wish to share this with everyone and enhance our understanding of these issues, as they are closely related to the laws of physical centre of gravity.

The manner in which the 20-foot container was loaded onto the 40-foot trailer container could explain why the container fell off the trailer. Loading a 20-foot container at the end of a 40-foot trailer container would cause an imbalance, resulting in dangerous sways of the truck’s rear, potentially causing shifts that could lead to accidents while making a turn. 

With this in mind, it is essential to ensure that the trucks are loaded properly, and, that there are enough locks to properly secure the loading so that the truck may be safely operated.

Relevant authorities must ensure the structural integrity of container trucks on the road. Enforcement agencies should check whether containers have been modified and whether they comply with the safety guidelines for a secure load. It is important to conduct examinations and repairing of mechanical failures caused by human errors. Additionally, PUSPAKOM must play its role to prevent this sort of oversight.

These unfortunate incidents must not be repeated. The authorities need to step up and seriously examine the factors that contribute to road safety, especially when it threatens life.

Our country has multiple agencies responsible for approving, enforcing, educating, and researching road safety issues. We need to review whether these agencies are coordinating and communicating effectively, especially as departments like the Road Transport Department (JPJ), the Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) all fall under the Ministry of Transport, and should be able to manage these issues more effectively, including making MIROS's research accident reports public.

While reducing traffic accidents is not an easy task, the government must act through various channels to reduce road traffic accidents, especially those involving heavy vehicles. Regulatory measures include strengthening PUSPAKOM inspection procedures, and measures within MIROS’s research capabilities to reduce accidents.

We also call on the relevant authorities to improve enforcement and education, raising awareness among motorcyclists, car drivers, bus drivers, truck drivers, and lorry drivers to ensure the safety of road users' lives. Ultimately, it is the life of road users which take precedence.

Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon
MCA Deputy President

22 November 2024

-MCA Comm-