DO not remain inside your vehicle if it has stalled on the road, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) reminded vehicle owners today.

Miros director Dr Muhammad Marizwan Abdul Manan also advised such motorists to call for help from the highway patrol personnel instead of ringing their family and friends.

He also said it was important for car users to inspect their vehicles before starting a journey.”

“Do not stay inside your vehicle. This goes to your family members too. Get out immediately and take your valuable belongings with you. Find a safe place and wait for the highway patrol to come.

“You must also make sure that your vehicle is well maintained. Check your batteries, temperature, engine and tyre pressure,” he said.

“One thing we often do is instead of calling for highway patrol assistance, we call our relatives for help. Do not do that.”

“The patrol officers are there for a reason. We pay for their service. Get them to help because they know how handle the traffic on the highway,” he explained.

He was commenting on a horrific road accident last night where eight children and two adults were killed.

Ten people were killed late last night when a trailer crashed into two vehicles stopped at the side of the road on the Elite Expressway in Shah Alam.

Witnesses said a car driver had stopped to help the driver of a stalled vehicle when a trailer rammed into the rear of the car. The impact smashed both cars.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said seven others were injured in the crash.

Norazam said those killed were Norul Naziah Buyong, 37, and her eight children, as well as a mechanic, identified as Mohamad Rahimibin Rolex, 27.

It is believed Rahimibin had stopped to help the other driver in the crash.

All victims were sent to the Shah Alam Hospital.

The trailer driver, identified as Mohd Khairol Kamal Abdullah, 45, and his two sons, Haiqal Haziq, 19, and Hafiey Hamziey, 14, who were travelling with him, escaped unscathed.

Marizwan today said an investigation into the crash would be held.

“Miros will probe the incident thoroughly to find out the cause of the incident,” he added. –  December 18, 2021.