The number of road fatalities involving bus and lorry drivers nationwide has not reached an alarming stage, said Road Safety Department (RSD) deputy director-general Sim Say Kiong.
He said fatal accidents involving bus and lorry drivers stood at only 77 and 202 cases, respectively, throughout last year. The 279 cases were part of the overall 61,872 reported cases of fatal road accidents.
“Malaysia’s road fatality rate involving bus and lorry drivers has not reached a serious level,” he told reporters after presenting cash prizes and trophies to the winners of Scania Driver Competition near here yesterday.
He said the public took a serious view of road fatalities involving bus and lorry drivers due to the wide media coverage.
Sim said motorcycle riders and pillion riders occupied the top slot among fatal road accident victims in the country, with 4,036 cases reported last year.
He said out of more than 6,500 road fatality cases reported annually, at least 60 per cent involved motorcyclists.
The Scania Driver Competition, the world’s largest driver competition, among others, aims to improve the perception of the professionalism of truck and bus drivers in Malaysia.
It also intends to highlight their valuable contribution to society, in terms of road safety and fuel economical driving.
A total of 12 finalists displayed their skills, knowledge and road safety competence in a series of rigorous practical tests at the competition.
The competitions in Malaysia and Singapore are supported by the RSD.
— BERNAMA
CJMY
