PASIR GUDANG: Enhancing road safety awareness and advocacy is an important task that must be taken collectively to prevent unwanted road tragedies, says Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said this would also reduce incidents such as the Friday night tragedy where three teenagers were killed while allegedly taking part in illegal racing.
“We are saddened by the news and we need to take the tragedy as a lesson for all. It is better to take preventive measures rather than discussing later on why such an incident happened.
“Education and advocacy is a vital step for all of us to take to prevent this from happening again. This does not fall solely on the government’s shoulder but also parents and society at large,” he said, adding that the ministry would not compromise on road safety.
Dr Wee spoke to the media after handing over boxes filled with Hari Raya biscuits to 15 seafarers at Johor Port here yesterday.
He added that enforcement was another important measure that must be taken seriously to check such incidents.
“The enforcement is not done by the ministry alone, the police have also been given the power to take stern action under the Road Transport Act.
“The existing laws we have are sufficient and the important thing it to make sure that they are enforced,” he said.
In a statement on Saturday, Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said three teenagers were killed while one was badly injured in an accident involving three motorcycles at Taman Kota Masai here.
Supt Mohd Sohaimi said earlier that initial investigations showed it happened when they were allegedly competing among themselves.
On a separate matter, Dr Wee said all existing non-compoundable traffic offences would remain as they were during the Hari Raya period.
“I have launched a road safety campaign in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri where I have mentioned that there would be several traffic offences that would not be compounded during this festive period.
“This does not mean that other existing non-compoundable offences would now be compounded. They will remain as they are.
“We have only added a few more offences to the list to ensure the effectiveness of this road safety campaign,” he said.
Last Monday, Dr Wee launched a road safety campaign and Ops Bersepadu in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri where he said that five types of traffic offences committed during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period could not be compounded and would have to be settled in court.
The five non-compoundable offences are driving on the emergency lane, using handphone while driving, failure to observe the red light signal, queue jumping and speeding.