Manyin (second right), flanked by Sagah on his left and Martin on his right, adjusting a helmet on a motorcyclist. — Photo by by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin yesterday appealed to motorists to accept honking as a way of alerting one another.
He regretted that many motorists regard honking as irritating, which sometimes anger them.
According to him, Malaysia is among the countries where motorists still refuse to accept honking unlike motorists in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China and others.
“Malaysia is among the many countries, where motorists still refuse to accept honking as a way to alert others on the danger and carelessness.”
“So, here I would like to appeal that the honk is fitted in the car to alert others on the danger and carelessness, and not to anger motorists,” Manyin told reporters after launching a Road Safety Campaign at Tarat Sentral, along Kuching-Serian Road, in conjunction with Gawai Dayak celebration.
Present were State Legislative Assembly deputy speaker and Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben and Road Safety Department state director Davina Agnes Enteli, among others.
The Tebedu assemblyman was however glad to note that there was improvement as some motorists had accepted honking as road courtesy.
On a related subject, he said the high rate of accidents and road deaths in the state was due to human factors and the increasing number of vehicles on the road.
According to him, there were 1.6 million registered vehicles in the state, while the number of deaths based on police
statistics was 135 from January until April this year.
The minister also advised motorists to regularly check their vehicles, including the tyres which have a life span of two years.
To those driving home for Gawai or for holidays, he reminded them to ensure that their vehicles are in good order and they themselves are fit to drive.