Latest news with #MalaysianInstituteofRoadSafetyResearch
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Driver-screening ‘smart' vehicles to boost road safety
KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicles that will not start if drivers are drowsy, unwell or impaired may soon become a reality, as Transport Deputy Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah calls for bold, tech-driven solutions to address road safety in Malaysia. Speaking at the MOVE Symposium at Automechanika KL 2025, Hasbi said future road safety may rely on cars that assess a driver's fitness before unlocking the ignition system – much like a health-monitoring failsafe – to keep unfit drivers off the road. 'We're no longer just talking about how you drive, but whether you're fit to drive at all. Why not? It's simple technology. 'If a system can detect that you're unfit, whether due to low blood sugar or fatigue, it should be able to prevent you from starting the vehicle,' he suggested. Highlighting Malaysia's road safety concerns, Hasbi emphasised the importance of digital innovation in reducing fatalities and risky behaviour among motorists. He pointed to fatigue training, AI-powered microsleep detection, digital fleet monitoring and the new voluntary 'Track Score' rating for dashcam and telematics providers as tools that could help mitigate human error, enhance vehicle safety and improve infrastructure. He added that technologies such as dashcams, advanced driver-assistance systems and telematics are empowering both enforcement agencies and road users to act more responsibly. 'We're laying the groundwork for the future rollout of an in-vehicle monitoring system. With the right safeguards, data from these systems can not only monitor behaviour but also help prevent crashes before they happen.' Reaffirming the ministry's commitment to road safety, Hasbi urged the automotive industry to prioritise five-star-rated vehicles and adopt cutting-edge technologies, particularly in sandboxed testing zones that support micro-mobility solutions. At the event, Hasbi also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and Alpha International Training and Consultancy to jointly develop road safety training programmes. Alpha International chief executive Prof Dr Louis Adaikalam, who also leads the Malaysia Sleep Apnea Association, said sleep-related health issues have reached alarming levels in the country. He cited a global analytics study showing nine in 10 Malaysians experience medical problems linked to poor sleep. He added that Malaysians juggling multiple jobs are particularly vulnerable to chronic sleep deprivation, putting them at risk of microsleep, a danger he described as comparable to driving under the influence. 'Over one billion people globally suffer from sleep-related issues. In fact, the US has declared it a public health epidemic.' Citing police statistics as of May 13, Louis said Malaysia recorded 134,206 road crashes and 1,050 fatalities. Fatigue and microsleep were identified by police as major contributors. He explained that fatigue is not only caused by overwork but could also stem from conditions such as sleep apnea, diabetes or unhealthy lifestyles. 'Many Malaysians are unaware they have sleep disorders. A US study found individuals with sleep apnea are 123% more likely to be involved in road crashes. Even reducing sleep from eight to six hours raises crash risk by 33%.' Louis and his team have launched a world-first initiative – the Sleep and Fatigue Recovery and Management Programme – endorsed by the United Nations. The two-day programme, developed with support from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Human Resource Development Corporation and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, includes medical sleep assessments, stress evaluations and aritificial intelligence (AI)-based microsleep detection. 'Through AI and wearable medical devices, we can now predict health risks linked to poor sleep. For instance, if you're consistently sleeping only four hours a night, you could develop hypertension in six months, diabetes in two years and potentially be involved in a microsleep-induced crash.' He stressed that while in-vehicle drowsiness detection systems are useful, public education on sleep health must remain the top priority. 'I urge employers to introduce sleep health programmes for their workers. These initiatives not only support employee well-being but also qualify under sustainability and productivity frameworks.'
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Malaysia sees deadly lorry crash every 36 hours
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is seeing a fatal road accident involving a heavy vehicle roughly every 36 hours, according to a recent study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). The study, based on 1,457 recorded fatalities over the past six years, highlights a troubling trend in road safety, particularly on highways, the New Straits Times reported. The study found that lorry accidents on highways are more likely to result in deaths compared to those on federal, state, or municipal roads. Researchers attributed the higher fatality rates to factors such as excessive speeding and overloaded lorries. These risks are further amplified when accidents occur on bends, where the chances of fatal outcomes significantly increase. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement and improved safety standards in the management of heavy vehicles on Malaysian roads. According to Datuk Mohamad Hisham Shafe, a road safety activist, on average, a lorry accident happens every 2,164 minutes — which is one and a half days. He said accidents involving lorries or other heavy vehicles pose a significantly greater risk of death because their large size and powerful impact far surpass those of smaller vehicles. 'Records show that the 1,457 deaths stemmed from around 3,500 lorry-related accidents across the country during that time frame. 'In addition, 473 cases of serious injuries and 1,076 minor injuries were reported as a result of these lorry accidents. 'Lorries are heavy-duty vehicles that cause significant impact in collisions, especially when travelling at high speeds on highways,' he was quoted as saying. Despite that, the lorry drivers tend to get tired due to long working hours, he noted. He also pointed out excessive workloads and unevenly distributed cargo are key factors contributing to vehicle instability on the roads. Mohamad Hisham addressed that many lorries are poorly maintained, which compromises their long-term performance and roadworthiness, adding that the issue has been raised by the authorities for a long time. 'MIROS studies also revealed that only 32% of public transport and commercial vehicle operators complied with the Industrial Code of Practice for Transport Safety (ICOP) in 2022. 'All this data clearly indicates that commercial vehicle safety is not being taken seriously enough. 'Some operators continue to neglect maintenance evaluations and even use retreaded tyres,' he added.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Heavy vehicle crashes kill one every 36 hours in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is seeing a fatal road accident involving a heavy vehicle roughly every 36 hours, according to a recent study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). The study, based on 1,457 recorded fatalities over the past six years, highlights a troubling trend in road safety, particularly on highways, the New Straits Times reported. The study found that lorry accidents on highways are more likely to result in deaths compared to those on federal, state, or municipal roads. Researchers attributed the higher fatality rates to factors such as excessive speeding and overloaded lorries. These risks are further amplified when accidents occur on bends, where the chances of fatal outcomes significantly increase. The findings underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement and improved safety standards in the management of heavy vehicles on Malaysian roads. ALSO READ: FRU accident: Lorry company owner called, police need dashcam recording According to Datuk Mohamad Hisham Shafe, a road safety activist, on average, a lorry accident happens every 2,164 minutes — which is one and a half days. He said accidents involving lorries or other heavy vehicles pose a significantly greater risk of death because their large size and powerful impact far surpass those of smaller vehicles. 'Records show that the 1,457 deaths stemmed from around 3,500 lorry-related accidents across the country during that time frame. 'In addition, 473 cases of serious injuries and 1,076 minor injuries were reported as a result of these lorry accidents. 'Lorries are heavy-duty vehicles that cause significant impact in collisions, especially when travelling at high speeds on highways,' he was quoted as saying. Despite that, the lorry drivers tend to get tired due to long working hours, he noted. He also pointed out excessive workloads and unevenly distributed cargo are key factors contributing to vehicle instability on the roads. Mohamad Hisham addressed that many lorries are poorly maintained, which compromises their long-term performance and roadworthiness, adding that the issue has been raised by the authorities for a long time. 'MIROS studies also revealed that only 32% of public transport and commercial vehicle operators complied with the Industrial Code of Practice for Transport Safety (ICOP) in 2022. 'All this data clearly indicates that commercial vehicle safety is not being taken seriously enough. 'Some operators continue to neglect maintenance evaluations and even use retreaded tyres,' he added.
New Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
One death every 36 hours in lorry-related crashes, study finds
KUALA LUMPUR: At least one life is lost every 36 hours in fatal road accidents involving lorries or trailers, according to statistics. This is based on 1,457 recorded fatalities in accidents involving heavy vehicles over the past six years. A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) found that lorry accidents on highways are more likely to result in fatalities compared to other types of roads, such as federal, state, and municipal roads. Factors such as excessive speed and overloaded lorries significantly increase the risk of death, particularly when accidents occur on bends. Road safety activist Datuk Mohamad Hisham Shafe revealed that 1,457 fatal lorry accidents were recorded over the six-year period. He noted that, on average, one lorry accident occurs every 2,164 minutes — equivalent to one day and 12 hours. "Accidents involving lorries or other heavy vehicles carry a much higher risk of fatality due to the size and impact force of these vehicles, which far exceed those of smaller vehicles," he said. "Records show that the 1,457 deaths stemmed from around 3,500 lorry-related accidents across the country during that time frame. "In addition, 473 cases of serious injuries and 1,076 minor injuries were reported as a result of these lorry accidents. "Lorries are heavy-duty vehicles that cause significant impact in collisions, especially when travelling at high speeds on highways," he said. Apart from their size and weight, Mohamad Hisham pointed out that lorry drivers are often at risk of fatigue due to long working hours. He said excessive workloads and unbalanced cargo also contribute to vehicle instability on the roads. According to him, many lorries do not undergo proper maintenance, which affects their long-term drivability. "Mechanical failures are among the leading causes of road accidents involving lorries, and this is not a new issue — it has long been raised by the authorities. "MIROS studies also revealed that only 32 per cent of public transport and commercial vehicle operators complied with the Industrial Code of Practice for Transport Safety (ICOP) in 2022. "All this data clearly indicates that commercial vehicle safety is not being taken seriously enough. Some operators continue to neglect maintenance evaluations and even use retreaded tyres," he added.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Miros, Alpha International join forces to address sleep deprivation among commercial drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has partnered with Alpha International Training & Consultancy to implement innovative road safety training programmes under a newly formalised collaboration. The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at the Modern Vehicle Expert Consortium Symposium, held in conjunction with Automechanika Kuala Lumpur 2025. In a statement, Alpha International said the strategic collaboration aligns with the Transport Ministry's recent call to enhance road safety and reduce accident rates through forward-looking initiatives. The first programme under the agreement, the Certified Sleep Recovery & Management Programme, will address the often-overlooked link between sleep deprivation and road safety, particularly among commercial drivers and transport operators. Designed to raise awareness and promote behavioural change, the programme aims to equip road users with effective tools to manage fatigue on the road. Miros director-general, Associate Professor Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak, said the collaboration with Alpha International reflects a shared vision for safer roads through capacity building and innovative training. "We believe this partnership will bring tangible improvements in road safety practices at both national and regional levels," she said in the statement. The MoA was signed by Dr Siti Zaharah and Alpha International's chief executive officer, Professor Dr Louis Adaikalam, who is also the president of the Sleep Apnea Association of Malaysia. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah was also present to witness the signing ceremony. Meanwhile, Dr Louis described the partnership as a significant step forward in tackling critical safety issues. "Together, we aim to deliver impactful training solutions that align with evolving industry needs and contribute to Malaysia's long-term road safety objectives," he said. The initiatives under the MoA are scheduled to commence in the coming months, beginning with the launch of the sleep recovery programme.
