Employers Must Take Action to Reduce Commuting Accidents

Road traffic accidents are among the biggest causes of work-related injuries and deaths in Malaysia and the National Road Council wants local employers to start taking actions to reduce commuting accidents among their employees.

Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye stated that commuting accidents make up a significant percentage of industrial accidents, which are reported annually to the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

Lee said that the traffic accident death rate of six to seven thousand yearly is extremely high for a small country like Malaysia, and said he hopes that employers and employees would be aware of the statistics.

"Employers have a duty to protect their employees and other road users by managing occupational roads to reduce business losses which arise from 'at work' road accidents.

"In this connection, employers have a role to play in developing and implementing comprehensive safety procedures and programmes for the workplace to reduce accidents, deaths and injuries, including by training their employees to be competent drivers and riders," he said.

Source: Socso

Lee's suggested measures to be taken by employers include:

establish a written policy demanding drivers and motorcyclists to undergo safe driving and riding practices
training for their employees to be competent drivers and riders
ensure proper use of vehicle safety features
carry out background checks on prospective drivers before they are hired

"Employers must make sure that drivers and motorcyclists in their employ comply with designated speed limits and do not allow them to drive while tired; ensure and establish written procedures in respect of proper maintenance of all vehicles owned by employers, and ensure workers use appropriate barriers and traffic control efforts while work is being performed on roads.

"Also, conduct defensive driving and riding courses to minimise accidents; do not use mobile phones while driving or riding; and conduct random drug tests on all bus drivers to ensure the safety of their passengers," he said.

Lee stated that employers have a moral obligation to use a proactive method to handle occupational road risk (ORR).

"They should always review the road safety standards of their organisations. Employers who take action to improve the safety of their staff while driving or riding will accomplish major cost savings, improve their image and make a significant contribution to meeting road safety targets," he added.

The Road Safety Council also expects the number of accidents to continue rising as more Malaysian workers prefer motorcycles due to the cheaper cost and ease in managing traffic jams.

What the government should do

Lee said that in order to reduce road accidents and deaths in Malaysia, the government should focus on education to generate a new breed of motorists and motorcyclists who care for themselves and each other.

"There should be a syllabus on road safety for schools to inculcate the need to practise good etiquette and behaviour on the road. The government needs to also identify all dangerous stretches of federal, state and municipal roads; and take steps to rectify them and make them safe for all road users."

He also said that the government should consider introducing a "Drive Safe and Pay Less" scheme, where drivers who have undergone defensive driving courses should qualify for payment of lower insurance premiums for their vehicles.

Lee said drivers who drive recklessly and cause the deaths of others should receive a mandatory jail sentence.

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Sources: New Straits Times & The Rakyat Post