Latest news with #RoadSafetyCouncil
The Star
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
13 deaths, nearly 700 accidents on Sibu roads from January to April
Abang Mohamad Porkan checking a motorcyclist's helmet at the launch of the Sibu Division Road Safety Campaign on May 23. SIBU: A total of 683 road accidents involving 13 deaths were reported in Sibu between January and April, says Division Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman. "This is an alarming figure, more than just data – it represents a lost family, a stalled future, and a grief that cannot be replaced," he said at the launch of the Sibu Division Road Safety Campaign in conjunction with the upcoming Gawai celebration on Friday (May 23). The campaign, which aims to raise public awareness on road safety, involves members of the community, law enforcement agencies, and transport authorities. Abang Mohamad Porkan, who also chairs the Sibu Municipal Council and the division's Road Safety Council (MKJR), stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires behavioural change among all road users. 'Without a shift in attitude – such as avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, adhering to speed limits, and refraining from mobile phone use on the road – all our efforts will come to nothing," he added. Abang Mohamad Porkan also reaffirmed MKJR's commitment to improving road safety through continuous engagement and strategic planning. Regular meetings with agencies such as the district urban transportation and mobility action committee and the district public transport committee are being held to tackle issues surrounding public transportation and road safety more effectively, he said. As the festive season approaches, he reminded road users to stay vigilant and responsible behind the wheel to avoid further loss of life.
The Star
29-04-2025
- The Star
30kph speed limit to be gazetted at school zones, says Transport Minister
SEREMBAN: A 30pkph speed limit will be gazetted at school zones nationwide and will be enforced soon, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook. The Transport Minister said with an average 70 fatalities in school zones a year, there was a pressing need to reduce the speed limit in these areas. He said the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion chaired by the deputy prime minister had agreed in principle to reduce the speed limit. "The Road Safety Council will get this programme going at selected schools this year. "We need to do this to ensure the safety of both the students as well as other road users," he said after chairing the 61st annual general meeting of the council here. Loke said studies show that reducing the speed limit to 30kph can greatly reduce fatalities and serious injury to road users. He said efforts should be made to put up signs, school crossings, speed breakers, road dividers and other safety equipment in school zones. Wardens will also be engaged. Loke said the Public Works Department and local councils have been told the gazette the new speed limit. "They have been notified. It is my hope that action is quickly taken to gazette the relevant laws," he said. Loke said speed limits in school zones was a norm in many countries. "This is actually the international standard. This was also one of the resolutions under the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety which we took part in previously, " he said. He said he hoped motorists would not object to this as it was for the safety of students.
South China Morning Post
16-03-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Study Buddy (Explorer): Car passengers aged under 8 years must use safety seats in Hong Kong
Content provided by British Council Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below: [1] Children aged under eight years in Hong Kong will need to use safety seats or similar equipment when travelling in private cars starting November 1, 2025. A fixed HK$230 (US$29.60) fine will be issued to drivers caught breaking the new requirement. Serious cases will be referred to a court, where a penalty of up to HK$2,000 (US$257.22) could be imposed, the Transport Department said last month. [2] 'The new requirement aims to enhance protection for children and passenger safety,' a department spokesman said. 'Child restraining devices provide effective protection for child passengers in traffic accidents, and they can substantially reduce the risks of being seriously injured or killed.' [3] The rule will apply regardless of whether a child sits in a vehicle's front or back passenger seats. Children with a height of 1.35 metres or above and those aged eight and over will be exempt from the rule. [4] The department listed child safety seats, seat belt adjusters, wearable safety restraint vests and foldable boosters as suitable restraining devices under the coming requirement. Drivers could be exempt from the requirement in the event of an emergency where they do not have time to set up a safety device for the child. [5] The department urged parents, guardians or private car drivers to only buy devices that suited a child's age and body. It will also offer suggestions on selecting and using such devices. The department also promised to work alongside police and the Road Safety Council to step up publicity and education efforts to ensure motorists are informed about the new requirements. [6] Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan told lawmakers that authorities would provide clear guidance on the new regulations and launch promotion efforts in the next few months to help prepare drivers. The government is still working to determine whether these safety devices were needed on public transport, she said. Chan added that authorities would update seat belt standards and introduce the relevant legal amendments in the current legislative session. [7] A Legco research paper from 2021 found that private cars had consistently been the largest source of child passenger injuries a decade earlier. They accounted for 32 per cent of such incidents, way above the proportion linked to school and public buses, 21 per cent each, and taxis, which accounted for 12 per cent. [8] 'The number of child passengers aged below 12 in private cars suffering injuries in traffic accidents averaged at 162 annually over the past decade, in spite of a noticeable drop amid the pandemic in 2020,' the research paper said. Source: South China Morning Post, February 24 Questions 1. What is the 'new requirement' in paragraph 1? 2. Paragraph 2 discusses the … of child restraining devices. A. convenience B. effectiveness C. affordability D. none of the above 3. Decide whether the following statements according to paragraph 3 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks) (i) All safety seats need to have at least two belts. (ii) Children taller than 1.35 metres do not need a safety seat. (iii) A child who is nine years old does not need a safety seat. (iv) Children only need a safety seat in the back of a car. 4. Find a word in paragraphs 3 and 4 that means 'someone does not have to do something'. 5. According to paragraph 5, what will the Transport Department offer drivers besides information about the new rules? 6. According to paragraph 5, is it OK to buy any child car safety device? Why or why not? 7. What is the Transport Department still trying to decide, according to paragraph 6? 8. According to paragraph 7, … caused the most injuries to child passengers 10 years ago. A. taxis B. public buses C. school buses D. private cars 9. Paragraph 8 describes … A. car accidents involving adults. B. new traffic rules for children. C. child passenger injuries in car accidents. D. car accidents involving new cars. Child car seats and other safety devices protect young passengers, reducing the risk of injury. Photo: Shutterstock Answers 1. Children under eight will need to use safety seats or similar equipment while travelling in private cars in Hong Kong. 2. B 3. (i) NG; (ii) T; (iii) T; (iv) F 4. exempt 5. The department will offer suggestions on selecting and using safety devices. 6. No, because drivers should only buy safety devices that suit the child's age and body. 7. if safety devices for children are needed on public transport 8. D 9. C
