80 per cent road accidents caused by careless drivers, not poor road conditions
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi with Sinar Daily Editor Tasnim Lokman during Sinar Daily's podcast entitled 'Billions Spent but Are Our Roads Any Safer?'. - Photo: FACEBOOK / ALEXANDER NANTHA LINGGI
SHAH ALAM – Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has urged Malaysians to take greater responsibility behind the wheel, revealing that over 80 per cent of road accidents in the country are caused by driver negligence rather than poor road conditions or weather.
Citing data from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), Nanta said Malaysia recorded about 500,000 road accidents each year, with around 12,000 cases involving serious injuries or fatalities.
Of the roughly 6,000 annual road deaths, around 4,000 involved motorcyclists, he added.
'These figures are high and people often ask if it's because of the road conditions. The fact is, Miros studies show slightly more than 80 per cent of accidents are due to the carelessness of drivers themselves.
"Only 13 per cent are linked to road conditions or weather, such as slippery roads from heavy rain," he said during Sinar Daily's podcast entitled 'Billions Spent but Are Our Roads Any Safer?'.
He stressed that many accidents could have been avoided if road users adhered to traffic laws, especially speed limits that were set scientifically to suit road conditions.
'If the maximum speed limit is 60 km/h, it's there for a reason. Exceeding it might still be safe to a point, but your control over the vehicle decreases, especially on roads with turns or downhill stretches,' he explained.
Nanta also warned against the growing trend of drivers using mobile phones while driving, calling it extremely irresponsible.
"You might think replying to a WhatsApp message is harmless, but if you hit someone and they die, you'll carry that guilt for life.
"Our road users must realise their actions don't just endanger themselves, but everyone else on the road," he said.
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