Sarawak records 6,724 road accidents as of April 2025, says Transport Minister

Borneo Post

15-05-2025

Lee helps a motorcyclist fasten his helmet
BINTULU (May 15): Sarawak recorded 6,724 road accidents from January to April this year, resulting in 120 deaths, 47 serious injuries, and 102 minor injuries, said state Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.
Citing data from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), he noted that the vast majority of these incidents, totalling 6,502 cases, involved only vehicle damage.
However, he highlighted that 108 of the total accidents were fatal, emphasising the severe consequences of negligence on the road.
Lee said this to reporters during the Sarawak-Level Road Safety Campaign for Gawai Dayak 2025 at Petronas petrol station Jalan Sibiyu today.
According to Lee, the Sarawak Police Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) identified rear-end collisions as the leading cause of accidents, with 2,236 cases recorded.
Other causes of accidents include skidding due to speeding (1,481 cases), side collisions at junctions (1,421), sideswipes (381), and head-on collisions (281), along with additional factors such as reversing, hitting objects or animals, rollovers, and pedestrian collisions.
'These numbers reflect one sobering truth: driver behaviour remains the primary cause of accidents,' he said.
He stressed the profound impact of each accident, representing an altered life, an affected family, and a potentially lost future.
Adding to the concern, Lee noted that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) reported that motorcyclists and youths continue to be the most at-risk groups in fatal crashes nationwide, a trend also observed in Sarawak.
In response, he said the Ministry of Transport Sarawak has launched a Gawai-themed road safety sticker initiative, inspired by previous festive efforts.
'These vibrant stickers, adorned with cartoon characters in traditional Dayak attire, aim to deliver critical safety messages in a creative, engaging format to Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are known to appreciate such collectables,' he explained.
He pointed out that while festive seasons bring joy, they also lead to a surge in traffic volume and associated risks.
'We want to celebrate Gawai with happiness, not grief. These small initiatives can make a big difference in fostering a safety-first mindset,' he said.
The campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Transport Sarawak, the Bintulu Resident's Office, the Bintulu Division Road Safety Council, and Petronas Dagangan Berhad.
Also present to show their support to the campaign were Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming and Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee. lead Lee Kim Shin Sarawak-Level Road Safety Campaign for Gawai Dayak 2025