Drivers under 40 blamed for most road accidents

MAJORITY of the road accidents in Brunei are caused by the people in the age group of 18 to 38 years. Expressing her concern at the rise in road accidents in the sultanate, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, in her sabda said yesterday the main reason for increase in accidents was speeding. People often drive rashly and in high speed resulting collison and other mishaps.

HRH Hajah Masna, who is also the Royal patron of the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council, was addressing the 'World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims' ceremony at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday.

She added that this trend was not unique to Brunei but was prevailing around the world. The World Health organisation (WHO) also reported that road accidents were the main cause of death among the younger generation.

She said in the last 10 years, fatal road accidents were on the rise and this needs a pragmatic and effective approave to check this dangerous trend.

In this regard, Her Royal Highness added carelessness as another endangering factor to road users. Because of that, the authorities aimed to increase the minimum compound for serious offences. Relevant government agencies are currently preparing to implement the "De-merit points" that would complement the compound offences in phases.

The Royal patron of the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council added the issue called for the need to take continuous measures in ensuring road safety. Her Royal Highness hoped that the Road Safety Council will continue its endeavour to encourage all relevant parties to be active in ensuring road safety with a unified effort from the government sector and the public. The Road Safety Council had framed its programme and activities based on the "4E" — Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Environment.

She hoped that with the programme in place, the council would be able to achieve its aim to reduce road accident fatalities and injuries to 40 per cent by 2010.

The council was also implementing three important projects which included the Ministry of Communication's plan in implementing the "Taxi franchise" project. With the project, the system hopes to create an effective, comfortable and safe public transportation.

In her sabda, HRH highlighted the role of private sector and its approach in handling road safety issue.

She quoted campaigns such as 'Tell-A-friend' and the Road Safety Competition organised by Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd were some of the examples that could be followed. The same goes to the publication of doa books and advisory on road safety by Takaful IBB.

She hoped that the public would carry out and participate in the campaign and programme both at the national and international level.

Touching on the role of the education system of the country, Her Royal Highness said schools and higher educational institutions played a role in increasing road safety education and in conducting researches in the area of road safety.

She stressed the role of media in reporting the issue in an accurate and responsible way.

She added that the media should treat the road safety as an issue affecting the health and country's and global development.(RSH1)The Brunei Times