I REFER to Miros: Lorry extensions dangerous and CSI zooms in on road crashes (The Star, Jan 7). The unfortunate death of 45-year-old Jamaliah Jawan who was killed after colliding into a lorry’s overhang on the North-South Expressway was very distressing.

Deaths due to such freak accidents should not occur at all if only some basic precautionary measures are observed by all.

This so-called “tidak apa”, attitude is threatening to become our culture.

Overhangs may be necessary accessories on lorries to transport long pipes and other extended items but they have to strictly adhere to the set guidelines in place for the safety of other road users.

Motorists are only too familiar with overloaded lorries with overhangs speeding past, not disturbed of the risks to others.

Enforcement officers should come down hard on these drivers and the owners of such lorries who flout the law as well as those who do not comply with the stipulated safety measures regarding the use of these overhangs.

It is more important to eliminate these death traps from our roads and highways than to be preoccupied with booking those who occasionally exceed the speed limit by 10-20kph on a clear stretch of the road.

It is encouraging that the government has set up the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), similar to the American Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), to study the causes of fatal crashes and come up with ways to reduce such mishaps.

The Government should seriously consider all their suggestions and act promptly to implement them wherever possible.

We offer our heartiest wishes to its director-general Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi and his small team of officers in their endeavours to reduce road deaths.

Miros rightly concluded that a combination human error, and/or vehicle and road conditions are the main course of accidents.

Also, there is the inconsiderate and selfish attitude of operators and drivers of heavy vehicles who behave as though they have total monopoly of the roads, and with total disregard for the safety of other motorists who pay their road taxes as well.

Their only motive is to reach their destinations in the quickest possible time at all costs so as to generate maximum profits.

This last factor can only be overcome by our right attitude to life, which needs to be instilled through education from early on.

Deaths on Malaysian roads are unacceptably high by any standard, and it takes a heavy toll on the lives of useful, young and healthy citizens.

The Government, the enforcement agencies, road maintenance agencies and road users all have important roles in making our roads safer.

Dr CHRIS ANTHONY,

Butterworth, Penang.

Source: The Star – January 9, 2008