Overloading as a factor in crashes

Setting the limit: The Transport Ministry should look into coming up with specific rules about how many passengers can safely be allowed in a moving car.

TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke needs to take a serious look at road crashes caused by overloading of passengers.

In an accident in Kluang on Jan 22, five people, including two children, were killed while six others were injured in a crash with another vehicle.

According to the police, there were eight people in the first car, which was a hatchback. The other was an SUV.

Due to excessive load, a vehicle can become uncontrollable especially when the driver is negotiating corners or driving on bumpy and potholed roads.

The driver has to drive slowly to prevent his car from swaying from one side to another, and it will be dangerous if there are vehicles being driven fast on the opposite lane.

Malaysia does not have any rule specifying how many passengers can safely be seated in a moving car.

Usually, it is five people in a car, including the driver. It will be safe to limit the number to only five persons.

Traffic regulations in Britain do not specify how many adult passengers are allowed in a moving car, but it is clearly indicated that the number of people carried in a vehicle cannot be higher than the number of authorised seats.

Our Transport Ministry should come up with a rule on how many adults and children can travel together in a private car.

Cars come in various sizes, and some can hold more passengers safely.

A guideline will be useful, and the traffic police and Road Transport Department enforcement officers can take action if this rule is flouted.

In December 2021, 10 people including eight children were killed when the car they were travelling in, which was being repaired near the USJ R&R, was hit by a trailer.

In a few months’ time, we will be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It is a well-known fact that drivers, especially those with relatives living in the villages or those who want to balik kampung, will lump as many family members together in the car as possible for the trip, whether for long or short distances.

It is better to be safe than sorry. Loke needs to take the initiative to look into this problem of cars being overloaded.

On another matter, the Transport Ministry should consider airing relevant videos on television to drive home the message of safety.

Many video clips of road crashes are going viral. There was one showing a small child being thrown out of the carrier basket of a motorcycle, ridden probably by the father, after it hit the side of a car.

Luckily, no vehicles were following behind. The child was quickly carried away to safety by other motorists.

In the incident, the rider then overshot the kerb, hit a plastic road barrier and fell to the ground unconscious. This particular episode shows the danger of placing children in the carrier basket when travelling by motorbike.

This kind of video needs to be aired on television more so during festive periods to drive home the message of safety.

V. THOMAS

Sungei Buloh, Selangor