Muhammad Faiz bin SelamatKEM1100356Vehicles Transportation and Road Safety Awarenessin Malaysia

Road safety scenario in Malaysia in 2013 recorded 477204 number of road crashed involving all type of transportation with 6915 fatalities. That was about 19 death per day; about a death per hour. Moreover, the fatality index per 10000 registered vehicle was 2.90. Even though it is lower compared to 2004 with 4.51 fatalities per 10000 vehicle, it can be considered high if compared with advanced countries like United Kingdom, Sweden and Australia where the fatality index is below 2.0.Type of Road User2013

Motorist1399

Motorcyclist4294

Pedestrian455

Bicyclist159

Bus60

Lorry210

Other Vehicle Users338

Total6915

Table 1: Road Traffic Fatalities in MalaysiaFrom Table 1, the most casualties was motorcyclist, which makes up about 60% of all fatalities. Road crashes also cost the nation about RM9.0 billion annually. To conclude, Malaysia did aware about road safety. By the main objective to reduce the projected deaths due to road accidents in 2020 by 50%, 5 strategic pillars is suggested by government (Ministry of Transport, Road Safety Department & Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, MIROS) in Road Safety Plan of Malaysia 2014-2020 which are: Road Safety Management Safer Mobility and Roads Safer Vehicles Safer Road Users Post-Crash Management

1. Road Safety ManagementMany programmes implemented to create awareness about road safety among Malaysian. Besides, Malaysian also being encouraged to use public transport more than using own transport. This is based on statistic that public transport risk less in the road accident. Not to forget, the road safely legislation is reviewed and enhanced continuously so that it is relevant with current state and goals to reduce casualties. Local community programmes are held with cooperation with inter-agency, media and non-government organisation to approach public and create awareness.2. Safer mobility and roadsIt is stressed that mobility is not only about accessibility but more importantly about road safety. The road safety will be incorporated at the planning design stage of all the construction of all road infrastructures as below:

Figure 1: Safer Mobility and RoadsSome of programmes yet to be implemented include the road side barrier safety programmes, Standards and regulations evaluation programmes and road safety audit programmes.3. Safer VehiclesFor safer vehicles, the main focus will be on the improvement to vehicle safety technologies for passive and active safety. This will be pursued through a combination of harmonisation with relevant global standards, consumer information schemes and incentives to accelerate the adoption of new technologies to improve road vehicle safety. This will be supported by a comprehensive roadmap on implementation of United Nation, UN Regulation on vehicle safety standards.cleFigure 2: Safer VehiclesBesides, some programmes to be implemented for safer vehicles including Implementation of UN Regulation through the Vehicle Type Approval, VTA and Vehicle safety performance evaluation programmes.4. Safer Road UsersSafer road user is actually related to behaviour of road user, thus this 4th strategic pillar deals with improving road user behaviour. In order to disciplines road user, comprehensive programmes are proposed. It is intended to increase enforcement of laws and standards, increase public awareness and education programmes to nurture a road safety culture among the public. Into that, public education and awareness programmes through media is conducted, stricter punishment and community service for traffic offender could be implemented.

Figure 3: Safer Road5. Post-crash ManagementIn post-crash management, the focus is to improve the responsiveness to post-crash emergencies and services. The main thrust will be on health mitigation and other systems needed to provide appropriate emergency treatment and longer rehabilitation for crash victims. This including first responder to community programme and improvement of emergency response time.

Figure 4: Post-crash ManagementIt is not that simple to create awareness on road safety to public. Integrated efforts are needed by various government agencies, private companies, NGOs and the most important is the road user themselves. This plan is a vital step in making our roads better and safer for us all. Together we can make differences.

References Road accident fatalities down in 2013, july 2014, retrieved from http://english.astroawani.com/malaysia-news/road-accident-fatalities-down-2013-39432