LETTERS: I refer to today's New Sunday Times report under the headline "Stricter Vehicle Maintenance Needed" to boost road safety.
The alarming frequency of road crashes involving heavy vehicles such as lorries, trucks, and buses demands immediate and comprehensive action. These incidents, often resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, point to three critical areas of concern: driver competency, vehicle maintenance, and enforcement.
Firstly, stricter measures are needed to ensure only qualified, well-trained, and physically fit drivers are allowed to operate heavy vehicles. This includes mandatory refresher training, stringent medical check-ups, and psychological evaluations to address stress or fatigue.
Secondly, poorly maintained vehicles are a ticking time bomb on our roads. Authorities must enforce regular inspections and ensure that vehicle owners comply with maintenance schedules. Severe penalties should be imposed for those who neglect safety standards.
Finally, enforcement must be robust and visible. More resources should be allocated to monitoring compliance, including installing speed limiters, GPS tracking, and conducting random checks at rest stops. Transparent enforcement will deter violations and promote a culture of accountability.
Addressing these issues requires collaboration between policymakers, enforcement agencies, and the transport industry. Safety must take precedence over cost-cutting measures to protect lives on our roads.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye
Member of Road Safety Council
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times