Road deaths: 16, coronavirus deaths: 0, where’s the care?

ON average, the number of fatalities on Malaysian roads was 16 a day in 2018. Many thousands more were seriously injured, some with life-long effects, which means they will never be able to lead a normal life. Malaysia has been ranked as one of the top three countries in the world with the deadliest roads (“We have the third highest death rate from road accidents”, The Star, May 14; online at bit.ly/star_deaths). Yet, since the novel coronavirus outbreak, Malaysians have been in a state of panic even though not even one death has occurred so far.

Have we got our priorities right?

While the spread of the coronavirus is out of our control (beyond taking individual precautionary measures as advised by the authorities), the incidence of road accidents and deaths lie in our very hands! They can be reduced if all road users obey traffic laws and respect and show courtesy to other road users.

Just because the number of road deaths is not reported daily, Malay-sians don’t seem bothered by them and ignore the fact that they face greater risks while on the road than coming in contact with the coronavirus.

There is so much of information circulating on the Internet and in Malaysian WhatsApp chat groups about the coronavirus but there is barely a word about the 16 deaths a day happening on our roads and highways. Why is this so? Perhaps we need a new wave of awareness (especially in chat groups) to warn Malaysians that they face greater risk of death each time they take to the road.

If we value lives (which I’m sure we all do), shouldn’t we give serious attention and due regard to road safety rules and be law-abiding? Over to you, Road Safety Department.

POLA SINGH

Kuala Lumpur