Experts: Even short trips could turn dangerous
PETALING JAYA: Child restraint use, although mandated by law, remains inconsistent due to low risk perception and misuse, say road safety experts.
They call for stronger public education, enforcement and systemic safety measures.
The issue became hot following a recent incident in which a two-year-old opened a rear car door in traffic, triggering a six-vehicle collision.
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Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said legislation alone does not guarantee compliance, adding that short trips, inconvenience and a lack of perceived risk often lead to non-use or incorrect installation of child restraints.
“Many parents may not realise that a properly restrained child should not be able to reach the rear door handle,” he said, stressing that enforcement must be complemented by sustained public education on correct installation and usage.
Following the incident along Jalan Tun Razak last week, the police are now investigating the case under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving.
Law said campaigns should reinforce the message that “short trips are not safe”, while community-based efforts – such as educating new parents in hospitals and working with automobile dealerships – could strengthen awareness.
While parents and drivers bear responsibility for ensuring children are properly restrained and that rear child safety locks are engaged, Law cautioned against viewing such cases purely as personal failure.
“Road safety is ultimately systemic in nature.
“Safe outcomes depend on multiple layers – correct restraints, vehicle safety features, road conditions, enforcement practices and community awareness.
“When one layer fails, other layers should reduce the severity of the outcome,” he said.
Law said measures such as maintaining lower speeds and adequate following distances could minimise crash severity in unexpected situations, including sudden door openings.
Among the steps he proposed were the consistent use of age-appropriate child restraints, always engaging rear door child locks and cultivating pre-drive safety habits such as checking seats and locks before moving off.
Law also called for improved vehicle design features, including automatic child lock engagement or audible warnings when doors are opened at certain speeds.
Road Safety Marshal Club president K. Balasupramaniam urged motorcyclists to avoid lane splitting unless necessary.
“When lane splitting, the rider must watch both the left and right at the same time to anticipate opening doors or swerving vehicles.
“This is extremely difficult, especially if travelling faster than surrounding traffic,” he said.
Instead, he advised riders to keep to either the left or right side of the road where possible, reducing the number of variables they must monitor and increasing reaction time.
Balasupramaniam also called for firm action against drivers who fail to secure children properly, saying penalties should reflect the seriousness of the offence to set a public example.
He further urged authorities to improve child road safety awareness at locations frequently visited by new parents, such as child clinics, and encouraged the use of child-on-board stickers as an additional alert to other road users.
