The nation incurs billions of ringgit in losses each year due to road accidents with the rate increasing every year, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said today.
He said studies made by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) had found in year 2008 alone, the country recorded losses amounting to RM7.8 billion due to road accidents, which was equivalent to 1.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“This Miros research shows the country suffers huge losses every year as a result of road accidents.
“Based on Miros’ statistics, in 2009, 6,745 road users died as compared to 6,527 road fatalities in 2008, of which 60 per cent were motorcyclists and pillion riders,” Kong told reporters after closing a “One Community One RTD” programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pangkor here.
Also present were RTD Director-General Datuk Solah Mat Hassan.
The minister said the increase in death rate and accident cases had indirectly contributed to the high losses.
On the programme, Kong said it was among the programmes organised by the Road Transport Department (RTD) to help the government reduce the accident rate.
Kong also announced the setting up of a computerised vehicle inspection centre (Puspakom)in Seri Manjung, scheduled to be ready at the end of April next year to replace the present centre at the Kampung Acheh industrial area in Sitiawan.
— BERNAMA
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