Road users not ‘proactive’ on safety – dept

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KOTA KINABALU: Many road users are not taking a proactive approach to ensure safe and smooth travel during festive seasons, said Road Safety Department (JKJR) Sabah director Herdiansah Abdul Karim.

“For example, planning your trip for long-distance driving and ensuring that your vehicle is at its best condition, especially its brakes and tyres,” he said during a press conference held after a road safety campaign at Likas Bay here yesterday.

“Other than that, failure to obey road rules and regulations is also one of the main causes of fatal accidents during the festive seasons,” he added.

Herdiansah then listed out the careless mistakes often made by road users, including failure to follow the speed limit, not taking safety measures before changing lanes, tailgating another vehicle, not stopping when the traffic light is red, motorcyclists and pillions not wearing safety helmets, motorcar drivers not using safety belts, and drivers using mobile phones while driving.

“We feel that the campaign’s approach in spreading road safety awareness through advising the community is one of the best methods, other than the law enforcement approach by the authorities,” he said while announcing that the road safety campaign would be held a week before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and a week after.

The Road Safety Campaign held in conjunction with the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri yesterday, involved 30 National Service Brigade volunteers from National Service camps all over the state, in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

It was aimed to create awareness and as a reminder to road users on the importance of prioritizing safety, especially when travelling to their hometowns.

JKJR will also hold a road safety campaign targeting express bus operators and drivers on July 25 at the Inanam Bus Terminal, as part of its effort to prevent accidents involving express buses throughout the festive season.

“I hope road users can assist the government in minimizing road accidents during this festive season,” he said while expressing hope that there would not be any fatal accidents during Raya this year.

Meanwhile, 300 goodie bags with road safety brochures and 50 helmets from Socso were given away to drivers and motorcyclists at Likas Bay during the road safety campaign.