Refresher course for motorists mulled: Pairin

Kota Kinabalu: A refresher course for motorists may be organised to enhance their awareness on road safety and regulations.Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said this may be necessary in light of low awareness among motorists on road safety and the recurrence of road accidents as well as fatalities in Sabah.

He proposed that the course be held once or twice a year based on the licence category of the drivers.

"Motorists would have learned about road safety and traffic regulations but they are just humans especially the young people who feel they are smart already when driving on the road.

"That is why I am suggesting the refresher course so as to continue reminding them their responsibilities when they are on the road.

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"The syllabus or contents for the course may include lecture, video of road accidents and fatalities and probably advice to the motorists," he said.

Pairin said this to reporters after launching a State-level road safety campaign in conjunction with the Kaamatan celebration at the compound of City Hall here on Tuesday.

The theme of the campaign is #SlowDown, #Palan-Palan Bah, #Kada' Koidau and it is being held to improve public awareness on road safety, and instil responsibility when on the road especially among students.

The programme is jointly organised by City Hall, Sabah Police, Road Transport Department (RTD), Road Safety Department (JKJR), State Education Department, Information Department, and RTM, among others.

Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, State Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din, City Police Chief ACP M. Chandra, Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, City Hall Director-General Datuk Joannes Solidau and other senior officials.

Pairin who is also Infrastructure Development Minister said motorists who attend the course and have never been involved in any road accident would also be given certificates by the relevant authorities including Sabah Road Safety Council to recognise their achievement.

Earlier, in his speech, Pairin called on the authorities like road engineers to carry out a study and analyse accident prone areas to determine why motorists often get involved in collisions in certain areas.

He said this is vital so that any shortcomings in the areas concerned could be identified and addressed accordingly.

Apart from this, he said there is a need to upgrade and replace road signboards and signages as well as lighting for better road safety and to reduce accidents.

"I noted the signages or signboards on the roadside in Sabah to inform motorists on danger areas need to be looked into as some have faded wordings and colours.

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"The concerned authorities and department should consider of carving in the wordings like the word AWAS to prevent letters or the whole word from going missing," Pairin said.

On eight tips for road safety, he called on the authorities to print out the tips that include wearing safety belts, wearing motorcycle helmets properly and not to drink and drive in the form of stickers and place them on the motorists' vehicles including motorcycles so as to remind them on a daily basis before starting their vehicles. - Hayati Dzulkifli

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