Malaysians & Their Cars!? by Ali Karim - HTML preview

Solution

Religious education in school or stricter traffic regulation and reduced speed limit is not going to do a darn thing to curb the problem. Though the government tries to provide first class infrastructure, a dire need is to bring out the average Malaysians from the third class mentality.

If the carrot and common sense don’t work, then the best solution is to reinvent the whole culture. To have an impact, the best way out of this and reduce traffic stress and road rage in my opinion is;

• That each motor vehicle owner read this Guide Book (mandatory).
• Increase efficient, reliable, affordable, purpose oriented public transport
• Reduce car population
• Each office building erected, schools must house equal number of staff parking lot - if possible next to the office desk or children’s class room where parents can see the kids in the class from the comfort of their car.
• Allocate sufficient parking, entrance and exit routes for every social/sports events. It is pointless to organize Commonwealth Games in Seremban when there are no parking and insufficient entrance and exit alternatives.
• CCTV cameras, monitoring traffic offenders every 1 km. If we have 10,000 km of roads, then there is 10,000 cameras, monitored by the each district Police station
• Drivers have the right to report offenders, by SMS, traced by the CCTV etc.
• Revoke driving license of repeated offenders.

But seriously, with the ongoing cry for a workable solution from the general public, insurance companies as well as PDRM and JPJ a new and urgent shift in thinking is required to drastically reduce the rate of road accident and fatalities.

The annual ‘Ops Sikap’ alone does not and cannot provide a permanent solution that can assist the Government to curb this problem.

Given the foregoing, it is paramount that Malaysia develops and deploys a comprehensive program that will address, train and inculcate safer driving habits and reduce accidents, not only in PSV or public service vehicles, but in private vehicles as well.

It is imperative at this stage and to ensure ethical drivers in the future, the upgrade enforcements, their remunerations and incentives. Traffic summons had to be raised some 200% in condition the Government deploys a competent, reliable Driver Training Academy, staffed by highly qualified individuals, who will provide training to drivers in the various aspects of driving skills:

• Basic Motor vehicle driving school
• Defensive driving fundamentals
• Advance driving school
• Truck & Bus Controlled Driving
• Motorcycle Safety
• Superbike Handling
• Fundamentals of Highway, Trunk Road & City Driving
• Climate vs. Road Safety
• Common Sense Driving
• Qualification/Competence Certification

This training must be made mandatory for all drivers at the point of applying for their PSV licenses or permits.

Drivers can be required to undergo refresher training courses when applying for renewals of their PSV licenses or permits.

This programme can then be extended to include private vehicles.  Apart from providing essential driver training, the academy should be able to augment the role played by driving schools, vehicle inspection centers and provide a central point for automotive reference and research.

Until then, driving in Malaysian roads requires patience - plenty of them. You may have to take up meditation if you want to drive and live long - but meditate before you drive! (not while driving). Meditate and visualize having the best, peaceful and pleasant drive to your office. Visualize how other drivers behave and enjoy the trip. Do this for five minutes, seated in the car with eyes close. Take several deep breaths and start the engine.

I hope you have enjoyed this book, learn it well and you will live to see your grandchildren.

Stay cool and drive safe.

Ali Karim

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This article is the intellectual property of Ali Karim @ Alithome BlogSpot. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under Malaysia Copyright Act of 1985, ISBN 978-967-5667-05-1, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.