SINCE January, the country has reported 807 road accidents involving those who drove against traffic flow, Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong told the Dewan Rakyat today. 

Wee said human factor was the main contributor for the accidents, such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, using the handphone and navigation app while driving and not following road rules.  

According to Home Ministry data, out of the 807 accidents, there were 29 deaths, 17 with severe injuries, 49 with minor injuries and 712 suffered damages.  

“The human factor can be attributed to two reasons – competence involving knowledge and driving skills and attitudes that lead to the driver’s temperament and mentality. 

“In related cases of driving against traffic, recently there have been frequent reports of such incidents being caused by drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.  

Wee was responding to Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang-PH), who asked on the data and statistics of road accidents involving the offence of driving against traffic flow from January 2021 to date. 

He also asked about the factors contributing to the offences and accidents, as well as measures taken to curb them.

Wee said from January to July, there have been 2,560 deaths caused by road accidents.  

“I have instructed the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research to carry out studies. Those who are charged in court are not only fined but also jailed. This is one of the deterrent.” 

He also added that the risk of those driving under the influence of alcohol is 13% higher than a normal driver and they are also exposed to fatalities. 

Wee said that 80% of road accidents are caused by human factors, 13% is because of the road worthiness of the vehicle and 7% is the surrounding environment.  

He said the Transport Ministry (MOT) has already enforced amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 since October 23 last year. 

Among others, he said that amendments to existing sentences, including increasing fines and jail terms, have been implemented, particularly in relation to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 

“This amendment is a form of deterrence and fosters awareness among the masses so that they abide by the law, and when it is implemented, the roads in our country will remain safe.  

“In addition, the threshold value involving the allowable blood alcohol concentration limit has also been amended.” 

Wee also said MOT, along with other authorities and stakeholders such as the Road Transport Department and police, have carried out many enforcements to curb the human factor in a road accident. – September 28, 2021.