KUALA LUMPUR: According to Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, the decision to publish daily statistics on road accidents is a necessary step to raise awareness about the importance of road safety. As the chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, he believes that this move is crucial due to the alarming rate of road accidents, which resulted in an average of 18 deaths per day last year.
Lee emphasized the significance of engaging entire communities in addressing the issue of road safety. He hopes that by highlighting the statistics, the public will understand the gravity of the situation and their role in promoting road safety.
He also stressed the importance of educating Malaysian road users on ways to contribute to road safety. Lee recommended participating in seminars and courses to gain knowledge and insights on how individuals can play a part in keeping the roads safe.
In addition to publishing statistics in print and online media, Lee suggested displaying the data on electronic billboards along the roads to remind motorists of the seriousness of road safety issues. Seeing these figures while driving or riding can serve as a constant reminder of the risks involved.
Recently, Lee’s NGO organized a two-day conference focusing on traffic safety to address the pressing concerns in this area. He expressed the hope that more employers would take similar initiatives to prevent work-related road deaths involving employees who commute to their workplaces.
Lee also called for increased efforts by NGOs and government agencies to raise awareness about road safety. He emphasized the importance of not only learning about road safety but also understanding the need to change the behavior and attitude of road users.
According to reports, fatal accident statistics will be released daily to raise awareness about road safety. Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the Road Transport Department will work with the police to provide this data to the public.
