By Chuah Bee Kim
JOHOR BARU: The number of fatal accidents involving unlicensed teenage drivers is rising, according to an analysis compiled by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
Of the 6,500 fatal road accidents involving cars and motorcycles in 2008, 41 per cent were unlicensed drivers between the ages of 15 and 25. Last year, 16- and 17-year-olds made up 67 per cent of unlicensed drivers who died in car crashes.
The figures shocked Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh.
He said his department was working with other government agencies to enforce laws on motorists, especially youth.
“We have to be more strict in enforcing the laws if we want to save lives.
“We even have to issue traffic summons to schoolchildren who break traffic regulations,” he said here yesterday after leading an enforcement operation against errant vehicle equipment premises.
Suret said it was “misplaced love” on the part of parents if they thought buying a vehicle for their children who did not have a driving licence was a sign of love.
“Parents just put the lives of their children in danger by doing so.”
The NST reported last week on how easy it was to obtain lesen express.
A learner driver just sits the theory and practical tests but does not have to pass them.
The enforcement divisions of several government agencies will team up for a month-long covert operation to wipe out lesen express at driving schools.
Suret also urged back seat passengers to “belt up” or face a RM300 fine.
“According to statistics up to March, only 20 per cent of back seat passengers use seatbelts. We plan to increase this to 50 per cent by the end of the year.”
On the department’s operation led by him here since Saturday night, Suret said he was satisfied as most shops were selling only Sirim-approved helmets.
However, the number of shops selling banned re-grooved tyres made up two-thirds of tyre shops in Johor.
“A shop owner even argued with me that it had been reported in newspapers that re-grooved tyres that have approved permits can be sold, which is not true.
“Bald tyres contribute to road accidents, particularly on a rainy day. During rainy seasons, accidents increase by 20 per cent due to skidding caused by re-grooved tyres, faulty brakes, following vehicles too closely and speeding.”
He said the department would assign enforcement officers to seize and destroy re-grooved tyres and equipment used to make them.
Errant tyre shop owners would also face a stiff fine.
His call to abolish snow tyres last year resulted in a near-zero usage of the tyres, which are not suitable for the country’s hot climate.
“Bald tyres contribute to road accidents, particularly on a rainy day. During rainy seasons, accidents increase by 20 per cent due to skidding caused by re-grooved tyres, faulty brakes, following vehicles too closely and speeding.”
He said the department would assign enforcement officers to seize and destroy re-grooved tyres and equipment used to make them.
Errant tyre shop owners would also face a stiff fine.
His call to abolish snow tyres last year resulted in a near-zero usage of the tyres, which are not suitable for the country’s hot climate.
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