Experts Call For Stricter Rules, Defensive Driving As Road Deaths Rise

Malaysian roads continue to face a serious safety challenge, with negligent and reckless driving causing 1,250 fatal accidents as of Sept this year, a number that far surpassing deaths linked to drunk driving or faulty traffic signals, according to Transport Ministry data. 

Incidents include careless and dangerous driving, dangerous or incorrect turning, speeding, tailgating, and failing to obey traffic lights.

In an interview with The Star, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye highlighted that many Malaysian drivers, despite holding licences, lack proper driving techniques.

“Some drivers become egoistic bullies on the road, aggressive and inconsiderate, which affects their ability to think rationally,” he said.

Lee called for comprehensive reforms including better driver education, mandatory defensive driving training, stricter enforcement, the removal of traffic compound discounts, and health and hazard perception checks during licence issuance and renewal.

Road safety expert Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia echoed the concern, citing a lack of driver discipline and accountability as major causes of unsafe driving. 

He urged the government to adopt a holistic approach, combining tougher enforcement with education. Law also recommended expanding automated traffic monitoring systems, such as speed and red-light cameras, to improve compliance and strengthen the Demerit Points System (Kejara). 

“Driving school curriculums should focus more on defensive driving, teaching motorists to anticipate the mistakes of others,” he noted in the same report by the daily news portal.

Source: The Star.