“Old habits die hard”, they said.
Undeniably, Malaysian drivers are generally known for their reckless driving. It is the sad truth that we all Malaysians have to admit.
The list of Malaysian driver’s bad habit might be never-ending and it is quite impossible to list everything down in this post. Here, we have picked some of the ‘significant’ bad habits (that everyone knows) of Malaysian driver:
- use emergency lane to beat traffic
- speeding, especially at residential areas
- braking suddenly
- double parking
- driving with expired license
- lane switching without using the indicator lights
- making illegal turns or lane changes
- run red light when there is no other car on the road
- reluctant to give ways to other road users
- driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- driving while distracted, including talking on the phone, texting, playing with the radio or eating
These irresponsible habits of road users do create unnecessary traffic jams and inevitably causing minor accidents on the road. A reckless driving accident is typically caused by one or more poor decisions by the drivers. Further, not a soul is safe while crossing the road at a zebra crossing in Malaysia. Reckless drivers and motorcyclists are the culprits who endanger the lives of those crossing the road.
In December 2017, a contractor was fined RM7,000 in default of six months’ jail by the Ampang Magistrate’s Court for driving carelessly (police investigations later found that the contractor was drowsy when he was behind the wheel) and resulting in the death of a married couple eight years ago. The couple died of their injuries at the scene. Bear in mind that the charge under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 carries a maximum fine of RM10,000 and a year’s imprisonment upon conviction. (https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/12/12/contractor-fined-for-reckless-driving-that-killed-married-couple/)
Further, in January 2018, it was reported that a 22 years old lorry driver has been charged at the Magistrate’s Court here with causing the deaths of nine people due to reckless driving. (https://www.malaymail.com/s/1557465/lorry-driver-charged-with-causing-death-of-nine-due-to-reckless-driving)
It is understandable that habits do not form overnight, and this is why one cannot break them overnight either.
However, the fact that increasing in reported cases regarding dangerous driving causing death in Malaysia cannot be ignored. Fortunately, a reckless driving accident can be prevented. There are many ways to lower down the accident rate, other than improving the road system and maintenance by the government, all road users should practice to be a prudent and reasonable road users. By following rules of the road and traffic laws, road users can usually avoid this type of accident.
