PETALING JAYA: Enforcing zero tolerance and CCTV monitoring are more effective in reducing road accidents than revamping the driving school curriculum, says the Malaysian Driving Institute Association.
Its president Mat Aris Bakar said there is no need for a review as improvements to the curriculum were already carried out on four occasions between 1991 and 2016.
ALSO READ: Go beyond just passing driving test
He noted that stricter enforcement in countries such as Japan and Singapore has led to better discipline among motorists.
“In Japan, road condition issues are minimal, while in Singapore, cameras are installed at almost every junction.
“If you break the rules, you will be caught,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s driving curriculum is on par with world-class standards.
He lamented that there are motorists who continued to break the rules owing to the lack of strict enforcement.
ALSO READ: ‘Your driving licence is a privilege, not an entitlement’
“Some food riders are still going through red lights or travelling in the opposite direction.
“If there is a camera at every junction, it will force them to comply with the rules,” he said.
Mat Aris said there are about 250 driving institutes in the country, of which RM2bil have been invested for road safety training in recent years.
He said there were plans to introduce 100% e-testing by 2030, with the country aiming to achieve the road safety benchmark of fewer than two deaths per 10,000 vehicles by then.
“The ratio was eight deaths per 10,000 vehicles 30 years ago and we hope to reduce it to no more than two deaths per 10,000 vehicles by 2030,” he added.
Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Suret Singh echoed similar sentiments, saying weak enforcement does not serve as a deterrent.
“Driving institutes already teach motorcyclists to keep left but many still ride in fast lanes and weave through traffic,” he said, adding that enforcement should be consistent.
Currently, those seeking to obtain a driver’s licence in Malaysia must undergo a minimum of 10 hours of practical driving on public roads to master hazard identification and traffic flow.
The curriculum also includes a six-hour theory course and a 50-question test.
Those who pass the tests will receive a probationary licence valid for two years.
By comparison, driving schools in Germany combine extensive theory classes with practical lessons, including mandatory night and highway driving.
In Japan, learners must practice hazard perception, navigating pedestrian crossings, handling railroad crossings and night driving.
The Transport Department in Hong Kong recommends at least 30 hours of road practice, while motorists in China must sit for four theoretical and practical examinations to obtain a driving licence.
