road safety Archives

PLUS receives Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for road safety initiatives in 2019

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is the first Asian highway company to receive the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award (PMIRSA) for its road safety initiatives in 2019. The award was presented in London on Tuesday and received from Prince Michael of Kent by PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Azman Ismail.

PLUS is one of the 23 award recipients this year and received the award in recognition of the company’s contribution towards successfully implementing multiple road safety initiatives along its 1,134.1-km highway across the Peninsular Malaysia.

“This award is a strong testimony that PLUS is internationally recognised as a world-class highway that adheres to high levels of safety. It reaffirms us as an organization that places safety above all,” said Datuk Azman.

Integrated road and traffic management system
As Malaysia’s largest highway operator, serving over 1.7 million users daily, the organization has implemented an integrated and innovative road and traffic management system known as the PLUS 3Es encompassing Engineering, Education and Enforcement since the first quarter of 2017. Through its engineering initiatives, it has ensured that 100% of its highways achieved a 3-star iRAP Rating Standard.

Through its educational collaboration with the Malaysian National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, PLUS co-created the Expressway Operations Safety Passport (EOSP) that has increased the safety awareness of highway workers. Upon its implementation, EOSP had contributed to a significant 75% reduction in fatalities involving highway and contract workers on the highways.

The EOSP programme is a first for the Malaysian highway industry, and the EOSP certification is mandatory for all roadside workers on PLUS highways before entering their respective work zones and has been identified for re-application across all tolled highways in Malaysia. The programme receives full support from the Malaysian Highway Authority as well as the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Transport.

About the Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards
Prince Michael of Kent is a leading advocate of road safety, working to support the UN Decade of Action, an ambitious international programme which has already saved millions of lives promotes and implements good practice. Since 1987, the awards have given public recognition to those who have improved road safety throughout Britain. Now, the awards programme recognizes outstanding achievement and innovation worldwide. Each year, the most outstanding examples of international road safety initiatives are given public recognition by the PMIRSA.

‘Debt-ridden’, ‘not efficient enough’? PLUS responds to statements deemed inaccurate and misleading

MIROS and Lazada Malaysia to work together on Child Restraint System Awareness

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Lazada Malaysia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to raise awareness on the importance of child restraint systems (CRS) in reducing road fatalities. As part of the initiatives under the MoU, Lazada Malaysia has launched its Car Seat Assurance programme – a curation of CRS products on LazMall – which currently offers over 40 product models from 6 local and international brands.

Prices range from RM100 to RM1,599 and Lazada gives assurance that each childseat bearing the Car Seat Assurance icon are sold by companies which have submitted to Lazada copies of UNR44 or UNR129 certificates (which are strict and comprehensive sets of child carseat safety regulations by the UN) as well as crash test reports. This product documentation has also been submitted to MIROS for further evaluation as part of an ongoing process to ensure that product safety is not compromised.

Compulsory use of child restraint systems, ie childseats, will come into effect from January 1, 2020. All childseats must meet the United Nations’ ECE R44/04 and ECE R129 specifications.

“We are delighted to have Lazada on board to carry out this initiative which will contribute to the government’s objectives to reduce serious road traffic injuries and fatalities. Through the Lazada Car Seat Assurance programme, we hope to educate more parents on the importance of CRS use and choosing the appropriate CRS for their children which meets the requirements detailed in the Guidelines for Child Restraint System in Malaysia,” said Dr. Siti Zaharah Ishak, Director-General of MIROS.

“We also need to change the perception that regulation-compliant childseats are unaffordable and make it easier for Malaysians to purchase childseats from wherever they may be and accessible throughout Malaysia,” Dr. Siti added.

MIROS GUIDELINES — *Visit **www.miros.gov.my** to download a free copy of the MIROS guidelines on childseats.*

During the first 6 months of 2020 when the law is in effect, summonses will not be issued to motorists who do not place their small children in childseats. Enforcement officers will give warnings and advice instead. The firm decision to introduce the law comes from the fact that less than 30% of motorists have been found to provide childseats, while a MIROS study found that 31 out of 53 (58 per cent) children and infants died due to road accidents.

(more…)

Child car seat: No summonses for first six months of 2020

Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, has announced that there will be no summonses issued for the first six months of 2020 for those who fail to apply the use of child car seats when travelling with children.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

The ruling has been directed to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to ensure that fellow road users have ample time to adapt to the new ruling which will begin in January 2020. Authorities will, however, issue warnings and reminders to install the child car seats for their safety. (more…)

MIROS launches child restraint system guidelines

Yesterday marked the official launch of Vehicle Safety Week 2019 which is currently taking place at the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) PC3 crash testing centre in Melaka. To mark this momentous occasion, our very own deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was also there to unveil the official child restraint system guidelines called ‘Buku Garis Panduan Kerusi Keselamatan Kanak-kanak di Malaysia’. (more…)

BHPetrol holds Cerah Ceria 2019 road safety programme at SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur

BHPetrol, the Malaysian petroleum brand, has been tirelessly working on efforts to raise road safety awareness among primary schoolchildren for some time now. And in 2019, for the tenth consecutive year, BHPetrol has spread the interest and focus of the local community in the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

This year’s awareness programme was held in SK Kementah Kuala Lumpur where over 1,000 students participated in various road safety activities which complements the current road safety education curriculum taught in schools.

Part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility
The programme, which was carried out recently, is part of BHPetrol’s Corporate Social Responsibility and focuses primarily on the importance of being visible on the road. The idea behind the programme originated in 2010, when BHPetrol felt that there was very little awareness on road safety initiatives for young children particularly in the non-urban areas.

Since then, the Cerah Ceria programme has travelled extensively within Peninsular Malaysia to schools in Sabak Bernam, Hulu Langat, Pelabuhan Klang, Muar, Temerloh, and the latest in Kementah Kem Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of primary schoolchildren have benefitted from the programme.

Focus on being visible
The focus on visibility stems from the fact that young children are physically small and not easily visible to drivers, in particular, drivers of huge vehicles such as petroleum tankers. The program stresses the importance of seeing and being seen as well as equipping children with essential road safety skills and knowledge.

Aptly named ‘Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol’, the program uses the firefly as its road safety icon to convey to children and adults signifying that despite its size, it is bright and visible from afar.

Practicing safe behaviour on the road
All 9 activities for children help them to understand the importance of being visible and practicing safe behaviour on the road. Some of the activities include stopping distance of vehicles, 5 steps to cross safely, physical limitations, wearing bright clothing and cycling safely. BHPetrol employees were involved in the activities.

Every year, as part of the programme, a short road safety talk is also given by the local district Traffic Police or by the road safety department. This year, Azharul Izwan Puaadi, the Federal Territory Director of Road Safety Department, addressed the students on the importance of being safe on the roads and following traffic rules.

The event was also attended by Fardzi Shah Razali, General Manager, Operations and HSSE of Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd, and Leftenan Kolonel Azizul bin Abdul Kadir, Kem Kementah Commanding Officer.

“Over the last 10 years, we have continuously inculcated the importance of safety amongst the schoolchildren through Cerah Ceria Bersama BHPetrol programme. We hope the activities organized have increased the students’ understanding to become more cautious towards their safety at all times,“ said Encik Fardzi Shah Razali.

Essential part of the children’s learning
The programme has been warmly received as an essential part of the children’s learning and educational process. The annual programme dedicated to school children has been creating a lasting impression in the minds of young students, parents and teachers.

BHPetrol firmly believes that the programme develops these young minds to be ever more conscientious in practicing safe behaviour on the road which may contribute significantly towards reducing road deaths and injuries among primary schoolchildren.

(more…)

The dangers of driving when you are not well or taking medicines

It’s a very serious offence to be driving while under the influence of alcohol (or ‘DUI’ as they refer to it in America). In some countries, it is not just alcohol but the offence includes drugs and even medicines that cause any effect which can make driving unsafe. Generally, motorists only give attention to alcohol and make it a point to consume amounts that do not exceed the limits, or are responsible enough to avoid driving home themselves if they have taken too much.

How medicines can affect driving
Many motorists give less thought to the times when they have taken medicines for an illness and while the effects vary from person to person, there is a risk that some may be affected seriously enough to make their driving dangerous for themselves and other road-users. It depends on how much medicine you are required to take. Factors such as gender, age, weight and dose all play a part in how the medicine affects you.

The effects can affect concentration and usually, the effect is strongest in the beginning of treatment and when the dose is increased. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the doctor to warn you or you should ask about the effects and declare that you will be driving or riding a motorcycle.

The effects of medicines
Some medicines can affect your driving for a short time after you take them. For others, the effects can last for several hours, and even till the next day. Sleepiness or drowsiness may be one of the effects but some people may also feel dizzy, weak, nauseous or even have their reaction time slowed down (which can be dangerous as they may not be able to avoid an accident in time).

For allergy sufferers, medications containing antihistamines can help relieve many different types of allergies. But these medicines may interfere with driving as antihistamines can slow your reaction time, make it hard to focus or think clearly, and may cause mild confusion even if you don’t feel drowsy.

While it is best to go home and rest (and remain on medical leave if allowed), you can also ask a doctor to help minimize the side effects by adjusting your dose, adjust the timing of when you take the medicine, or change the medicine to one that causes fewer side effects for you.

*If you find that you can’t concentrate because you have just taken medicine, it imay be better to pull over rather than continue driving.*

It should be noted that even if you have not taken medicines but are sick, your condition can also put your driving at risk. Depending on the illness, you may be more tired than usual, less able to concentrate or even experience pain in certain parts of your body that could cause you to drive dangerously. If you find that you are extremely affected, you should pull over to the side and park safely, and notify someone who can come and help you get home.

Even sneezing can be dangerous!
One of the most dangerous aspects of driving while sick is sneezing, believe it or not. In fact, there are studies that have shown that sneezes cause over 2,000 accidents in the UK per week! When you sneeze, your eyes usually close, usually for about 600 milliseconds. In that span of time, if you are travelling at about 100 km/h, the car would have moved 17 metres forward – while your eyes were closed! That could result in ramming a vehicle ahead or worse, knocking down a pedestrian.

Accident — *A sneeze or a cough when you are ill could result in a collision.*

The same risk could probably occur when you cough, especially if it is a cough that is ‘strong’ and causes you to momentarily stop having control of other actions. You may also cough a number of times at one go, again affecting your ability to control the car.

Mazda Lane Keep Assist — *The Lane Keep Assist system, available in some of the new models, acts when the car moves out of its lane.*

Some of the new car models today have driver assistance systems which can detect when the car weaves out of its lane. This can indicate that the driver may be losing concentration and not guiding the car properly, perhaps due to being ill or being on medication. Such systems will alert the driver of the situation and also exert forces to turn the vehicle back into its lane. However, these systems are still not standard features like seatbelts so the majority of motorists would not be able to enjoy their safety benefits.

NOTE: This article has been presented in good faith for general information of the public, especially motorists. PISTON.MY accepts no responsibility for any loss or effect arising from following the advice and information given.

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has reminded everyone that by the year 2020, the use of child seats for private cars carrying children will be mandatory and punishable by law if ignored. For all you parents out there, do take note because we’re going into October and that’s just two months away! (more…)

Bosch launches ‘Heels & Wheels’ car and road safety workshop for women

Malaysia’s 62^nd Independence Day is just around the corner and in conjunction with all the celebrations, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Malaysia (Bosch AA) together with the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development organised the ‘Heels & Wheels’ program – a car and road safety workshop for women. (more…)

Perodua’s free Tweckbot inspection service to be offered this month

Since 2011, Perodua has been providing its Tweckbot complimentary mobile vehicle inspection service. Over 8,000 vehicles have been inspected nationwide during that period and there would have been some owners who would have been grateful to be alerted of a problem to attend to before starting off on their long journey.

Important service – provided free
The Tweckbot service is part of Perodua’s road safety push and will be offered during the Aidil Adha and Merdeka holiday periods this year. This is timely as it is important to conduct checks on vehicle roadworthiness in preparation for long balik kampung drives during festive periods.

“The free 50-point Tweckbot inspection includes checks to the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrics, and will give our customers total peace of mind for the long journeys ahead,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Discount voucher given after inspection
The Tweckbot team will be at the northbound Rawang rest area on the PLUS Highway during August 24/25 from 10 am to 5 pm. Customers who inspect their vehicle with Tweckbot will get a voucher that can be used to redeem a 20% discount on parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre.

“Tweckbot aims to promote the importance of checking one’s vehicle regularly, to service them at authorised Perodua service centres, and to only use genuine Perodua products and parts, all in the name of safety,” Dato’ Zainal said.

“In the spirit of Aidil Adha, Perodua hopes it can share knowledge and awareness of the importance of safety with the close-knit community that is the Malaysian public. Also, this Merdeka will mark 62 years of Malaysian independence and it is our hope that our minds too can be liberated to embrace and prioritise safety in every aspect of our lives.”

“Safety is a mindset first and foremost, and as a People First company, Perodua will do all it can to promote this mindset amongst its employees, customers and the general public. We believe safety is everyone’s right,” Dato’ Zainal said.

Click here for other news and articles about Perodua on PISTON.MY

Visit www.perodua.com.my for information on Perodua products, services and promotions

Manufacturers must make their electric cars noisy

As the era of the electric car dawns and more such cars will be on the roads, safety issues are beginning to get increasing attention. The fact that cars with only electric motors run almost silently may be good for the environment but can be a danger to pedestrians. It’s already bad enough that there are pedestrians who are walk around with earphones blocking out ambient noises that they do not realise a car is approaching them. With electric cars, even pedestrians who can hear may not know a car is coming up behind them.

For the past few years, safety authorities in some countries have begun to introduce new regulations that require electric vehicles to ‘make noise’ as a safety measure. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for example, added such a requirement for all new hybrid and electric light-duty vehicles sold in the USA. The new federal safety standard is intended to help pedestrians who are blind, have low vision, and other pedestrians detect the presence, direction and location of these vehicles when they are traveling at low speeds.

*Special acoustic chambers are used to conduct tests on noise generated by vehicles.*

Under the new rule, to come into effect in September this year, all hybrid and electric light vehicles with 4 wheels and a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds (4,545 kgs) or less will be required to make audible noise when traveling in reverse or forward at speeds up to 30 km/h. At higher speeds, the sound alert is not required because other factors, such as tyre and wind noise, provide adequate audible warning to pedestrians.

New EU directive to make noise
Since the beginning of July 2019, a new EU directive has made it mandatory to install a warning sound generator in electric cars in Europe. This stipulates that initially in newly certificated hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles – also trucks and buses – an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) must be installed for the protection of other road users.

The warning is mandatory up to a speed of 20 km/h and the Directive formulates the parameters for how an AVAS warning may and may not sound in great detail. This applies for example to the minimum and maximum sound volume, and to certain sound components.

How manufacturers are meeting the requirement
It is subject to these and many other regulations that the sound experts of the acoustic test facility at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre in Germany are working on giving a ‘voice’ to the electrified Mercedes-Benz models. Special microphones in the exterior sound testing facilities are used to develop an individually configured e-sound for each electric model.

Simulations, measurements, evaluations and detailed improvements continue until the result is perfect. During the subsequent test drives, there is a particularly sensitive passenger on board – the artificial head. This registers the tiniest noises, and comes impressively close to human hearing.

The Mercedes-Benz AVAS sound differs only slightly for the EU, Japan and China. There are other requirements for the USA, for example concerning the sound volume. Furthermore, the stationary vehicle must already generate a sound when a gear is engaged, becoming louder up to 30 km/h. Switching off the AVAS by the customer is prohibited in almost all countries.

https://www.facebook.com/piston.my/

Piston.my

road safety

PLUS receives Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for road safety initiatives in 2019

MIROS and Lazada Malaysia to work together on Child Restraint System Awareness

Child car seat: No summonses for first six months of 2020

MIROS launches child restraint system guidelines

The dangers of driving when you are not well or taking medicines

REMINDER: Child seats mandatory starting year 2020

Bosch launches ‘Heels & Wheels’ car and road safety workshop for women

Perodua’s free Tweckbot inspection service to be offered this month

Manufacturers must make their electric cars noisy

Forging Safer Roads – Volvo’s Never-Ending Crusade To Enhance Driver Safety

Euro NCAP Calls for Return to Physical Controls by 2026 for Improved Safety

Selangor to Expand Glow-in-the-Dark Road Markings Initiative

8,028 Accidents, 75 Fatalities Recorded Over Christmas

Pop-up Street Interventions Enhance Safety And Appeal of the Streets

Fast And Furriest: Dog Caught Going Over Speed Limit In Slovakia

‘Op Selamat 20’ Records 1,389 Accidents On Second Day

Ban On Foreign Trailer Drivers In Line With Government’s Stance On Road Safety

Interacting With Pedestrians To Make Road-Crossings Safer

PUSPAKOM Offers Free Inspections For Private Vehicles As Contribution to Improving Road Safety

Archive

smart Damansara Opens 3S Centre in Mutiara Damansara

New Honda BR-V N7X Edition: Looks Great But Will Malaysians Ever Be Able To Buy One?

Tesla Agrees to RM7.14 Million Settlement in Hazardous Waste Lawsuit

smart Malaysia Inaugurates Expansion of Three New Community-Centric Hubs

Preparations for Aidilfitri: SmartLane System Reactivated and Road Improvements Underway

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

The Piston Show