LETTERS: The rising number of road accidents demands immediate action.
The statistics are alarming — from 2007 to 2019, road accidents surged by 56.2 per cent, from 363,319 to 567,516.
Recently, the Transport Ministry reported 545,588 road accidents in 2022.
Road accidents have risen to become the fifth leading cause of death in Malaysia, outpacing even diabetes and hypertension.
Education is a powerful tool that can assist in reducing road accidents.
There is an urgent need to enhance the Driver's Education Curriculum (DEC), but a precise understanding of what changes are required is lacking.
In Bait Al Amanah's recently published policy brief, "A Holistic Revamp of the Driver's Education Curriculum," I have outlined three recommendations for the government's consideration:
FIRST, expressway training. With more than 2,000km of expressway networks, Malaysia boasts one of the most extensive networks in Southeast Asia.
Many Malaysians, particularly those in the Klang Valley, travel on these expressways daily. Yet, the DEC does not incorporate a module on expressway training.
My proposal calls for obligatory expressway training for new learners, including a certain number of hours of real-world driving experience under the supervision of a driving instructor.
SECOND, lane-splitting and filtering: training and legislation. Lane-splitting and filtering are commonplace practices in Malaysia due to the significant motorcycle ridership.
While these practices can contribute to improved traffic flow and enhanced motorcyclist safety, they require regulation and education.
Given their widespread use, it is essential to include them in traffic legislation and the DEC. This approach will clarify when and where motorcycles can lane split, reducing potential confusion and conflict in the event of an accident.
THIRD, the hazard perception module. Our roads can be hazardous due to poor road conditions, unpredictable drivers, and extreme weather.
Therefore, I propose the introduction of a Hazard Perception Module (HPM) as a compulsory part of the computer test for new learners.
HPM, based on the United Kingdom's methodology, will include 14 video clips featuring real-world driving scenarios. New learners must identify developing hazards in these clips to pass the module and proceed to practical lessons.
By modernising the Driver's Education Curriculum with improved modules and knowledge, Malaysia can underscore its dedication to fostering safer roads. In the long haul, by adopting new approaches, we can arrest the surge of escalating accidents and fatalities, guaranteeing fewer lives are sacrificed on the highways.
KARISMA PUTERA ABD RAHMAN
Research and Advocacy Analyst
Bait Al Amanah Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times