YOUNG motorcyclists will be the focus in the Penang Road Safety Strategic Plan Phase 2 which has been proposed to start from 2020 to 2025.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said it is important to address the attitude and competency of riders, especially those from 15 to 25 years old, in order to reduce the number of accidents.
“We need to focus on motorcyclists. Some of the riders are as young as Standard Five or Standard Six and are allowed by their parents to ride without helmets,” Prof Farhan told the State Government Transportation Committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Komtar today.
“So, the problem is actually with the parents who allow their children to ride without licence since young. They have to be with us.
“We need enforcement, not just from the authority but also from the kampung, society or taman (park). We have to nip the problem in the bud. Advocacy must be accompanied by enforcement.
“Parents have to have control over their children. We’ve to come out with new and creative initiatives and make them take ownership of their safety.
“The majority of society think this is not their problem until a casualty happens. They feel this is not their taman’s problem. So, we need to change that perspective.”
Prof Farhan also believed that social media should be used more effectively to tackle the road safety problem.
USM is the project manager for Penang Road Safety Strategic Plan 2014-2020. One of its aims is to bring fatalities down by 10% each year.
Prof Farhan said he would cross-check data with police on road deaths and also suggested every assemblyman in the state to help in their gathering of data.
In addition to the data on fatal cases, Prof Farhan said the data should also include the ‘Near Miss Crashes’ with the help of CCTVs.
“The data can be our guide. It can also be used to show whether we are progressing and most importantly whether we are going to achieve our target. At the end of the day, the outcome is to reduce fatalities, reduce accidents and reduce injuries.”
He also gave a few suggested slogans that could be used to make road users feel safer and realise the higher perception of being caught if they break the rules when entering Penang.
Chow, after listening to various views, believed the involvement of the community to develop a culture of taking ownership for road safety is very important.
“I believe that if more people use public transport or rail transport, accidents involving motorcycles will be much reduced,” said Chow.
He said he agreed in principle for the Penang Road Safety Strategic Plan Phase 2 to begin next year, noting that there are about 400 fatalities per year in Penang alone.
Chow then suggested one assemblyman head a sub-committee so that more action could be taken as he felt the main committee did not much time or space for them to work the plans.
On another matter, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng urged Rapid Ferry to inform motorcyclists of any breakdown to avoid any inconvenience to them.
He said he received complaints from motorcyclists yesterday as they had to wait for over one hour before being informed of a ferry’s breakdown.
A Rapid Ferry representative explained that the breakdown was posted on social media but Teh said had the front desk personnel informed the motorcyclists, the latter could make alternative plans.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting