PETALING JAYA: The tragic accident involving an Immigration Department truck that claimed the lives of a father and his two daughters has sparked calls for greater caution among drivers of enforcement and emergency vehicles.
Many questioned whether the use of sirens and beacon lights should allow such vehicles to proceed through a red light without first ensuring that it was safe to do so.
Facebook user Prakash Periah said drivers should slow down and carefully assess the situation when approaching traffic light intersections, regardless of whether the light was green or red.
“This means they should slow down and carefully assess the situation at the intersection before proceeding.
“This practice is critical not only for the safety of emergency responders but also for the well-being of other road users who may not be aware of the vehicle’s approach.
“The consequences of failing to do so can be severe, as demonstrated by the heartbreaking loss of three family members in a recent incident,” he wrote on Wednesday (Aug 19).
He added that it is essential for all drivers, including those in emergency vehicles, to prioritise safety and to recognise that every moment counts on the road.
Meanwhile, Asger Bhai said that having sirens and beacon lights activated did not mean drivers could proceed without first ensuring that an intersection was clear.
“At least reduce speed, see left and right, before making the jump. Now three lives are gone.
“In the city with the siren on, you will not know from which direction the sound is coming because of the sound vibration and echo from all corners,” he wrote on Facebook.
Hooi Keng Mun echoed similar sentiments, noting that some drivers may not have noticed the siren and beacon lights.
“Emergency vehicles too need to drive safely even when the beacon light is on.
“Sometimes, other drivers cannot hear the sirens when all car windows are closed, and the radio is on.
“Even if one can hear the siren, we just cannot pinpoint which direction it came from,” said the Facebook user.
Lim Kok Eng questioned the need for the Immigration Department truck to use its siren and beacon lights while on its way to pick up detainees following an operation.
“Picking up illegal immigrants is not an emergency situation.
“Even with sirens and blinking lights, the drivers should obey traffic rules. Unless they come with police car escorts,” he said.
It was earlier reported that three members of a family were killed after they were hit by an Immigration Department truck that veered off course following a collision at a traffic light intersection along Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Asst Comm Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa had earlier reportedly said that the accident occurred at about 1am on Wednesday.
ACP Mohd Zamzuri said that the empty truck was travelling from the Kuala Lumpur Immigration office to Chow Kit to pick up detainees following an operation against illegal immigrants in the area.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also earlier called on the Immigration Department to immediately conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
