Recently, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri, revealed to Utusan Malaysia that between 2019 and 2024, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) received millions of traffic accident reports, the majority of which stemmed from reckless or inattentive driving behaviour such as drivers fail to properly observe intersections, while others don’t notice vehicles, objects, or even animals in front or beside them.
There it goes.
The answer to why accidents involving heavy vehicles will continue to happen regardless of whatever measures implemented.
The overall safety culture on the roads is influenced by the attitudes and behaviours of all road users.
Poor attitude such as impatience or aggression can lead to increased stress and frustration among other drivers, potentially causing them to make poor decisions and engage in risky behaviours.
People always forgets that during their non working hours, those who drives heavy vehicles and lorries are also users themselves i.e they be driving or riding their motorcycles when they go to and back from work or for other things.
If there is a lack of respect for traffic laws or a general disregard for safety when they are driving their own vehicles or riding their motor bikes, it is highly likely that they will exhibit and adopt the same lack of disrespect for safety when they are driving the heavy vehicles which they are employed to drive.
And heavy vehicles are generally larger and more powerful, thus they have a disproportionate impact on road safety and can influence the behaviour of other drivers.
It is clear that driving behaviour is a major contributory factor in all accidents regardless of whether it is a heavy vehicle or a private vehicle or a motor bike.
Safety is a key concern for motorists, but safety concerns centre on the safety of other drivers rather than drivers’ own behaviour.
What constitutes speeding is conceptualised differently for different drivers.
And in this country, every accident involving heavy vehicles presents an opportunity for corruption and profiteering.
Using civil societies and NGOs and road safety advocates as echo chamber, a common reaction to accidents involving heavy vehicles always results in calls for safety measures for heavy vehicles, such as mandatory safety equipment, more frequent inspections, or enhanced driver training which often come with financial implications - increased costs for transportation and logistics - and potential corruption risks.
While these calls for increased safety are often well-intentioned, additional costs and regulations create opportunities for corruption.
The implementation of new regulations and the oversight of safety measures can create opportunities for corruption.
For example, businesses might try to bribe officials to bypass regulations, inspections could be manipulated, or contracts for new safety equipment could be awarded based on personal connections rather than merit.
Rather than all these, increase and a sustained effort should be focus primarily on effective enforcement of traffic laws and targeted education programs to help improve attitudes and behaviours among all road users, including heavy vehicle drivers.
These initiatives should focus on promoting responsible driving practices and fostering a culture of safety.
This not only minimise accidents involving heavy vehicles but for types of transportation be it passenger cars or motorbikes.
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