PETALING JAYA: A review of Malaysia’s driver training syllabus may be timely following a spate of fatal road accidents, with automotive analysts saying the current system focuses heavily on passing the test rather than preparing motorists for real-world driving.
Experts say greater emphasis on defensive driving, hazard awareness and simulated emergency training could improve road safety.
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Retired Malaysian rally champion and road safety advocate YS Khong said many driving schools are ultimately geared towards helping learners pass the licensing test.
“Driving schools essentially have one objective – to take students through the course and help them pass the test because the final goal is to obtain a licence,” he told The Star.
As a result, much of the training focuses on test requirements rather than preparing drivers for the wide range of situations they may encounter on the road.
Khong said improving the syllabus could help narrow the gap between learning to drive and navigating real-world conditions, though he conceded that expanding training would likely increase the cost of obtaining a licence.
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“If you add more elements to the training, the time needed will increase, and that will also raise the cost for learners,” he said.
He added that safe driving depends heavily on “situational awareness” and the “ability to anticipate risks”.
“A good driver knows when to slow down, how closely to follow another vehicle and how to anticipate potential hazards.
“Many people simply drive from point A to point B. But when something unexpected happens, they do not know how to react,” he said, adding that technology such as driving simulators or educational videos could help improve driver awareness.
“You cannot replicate every situation during training but simulations and educational tools can help drivers understand how to react in different scenarios,” said Khong.
Automotive analyst Gan Yong Li concurred, saying the existing syllabus provides a reasonable foundation but falls short on preparing drivers for real-world conditions.
“From a basic perspective, the syllabus is adequate because it teaches road rules, vehicle control and other fundamental skills.
“But having a licence and dealing with real traffic situations are two different things,” he said.
Gan said training could be improved by exposing learners to simulated scenarios on the road.
“For example, simulators can recreate situations where drivers must react to sudden braking, slippery roads or loss of control,” he said.
He noted that specialised driver training facilities already exist in Malaysia, including those offering exercises such as skid control, slalom manoeuvres and emergency handling.
“At the Sepang International Circuit’s Driving Experience Centre, for instance, drivers can undergo courses designed to help them manage situations such as oversteer or understeer using skid plate simulations,” he said.
However, Gan said improving driver training alone is insufficient to enhance road safety.
“If enforcement is weak, people will not be afraid to break the rules. But when enforcement is firm and consistent, drivers will think twice before committing offences,” he said.
He added that continuous public education campaigns are needed to instil safer driving habits among motorists.
“Road safety awareness must be continuous. Drivers need constant reminders about responsible behaviour on the road,” he said.
