Road accidents for the weary: Time for actual reforms in the name of safety

The deadly three-vehicle crash which left seven dead and 33 others injured in Ayer Keroh has once again highlighted a deeply worrying trend on Malaysian roads, particularly involving heavy vehicles. As pointed out by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, the statistics are alarming: in the first ten months of this year alone, there were 825 fatal accidents involving lorries. This is a trend that cannot, and must not, be ignored. The growing frequency of such accidents is concerning, and it is vital that we take decisive action to address this issue.

Current Transport Minister Anthony Loke has already ordered a probe into the this tragic accident. While this is a step in the right direction, a simple investigation alone will not be enough. Time and time again, we have seen to it that after major road tragedies, calls for inquiries are made, reports are issued, and yet, little is done to prevent similar incidents in the future.