PETALING JAYA: Despite it being vital to make use of seat belts to cut back fatalities throughout automobile crashes, many Malaysians are still not complying when seated on the rear.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) chairman Dr Wong Shaw Voon mentioned solely 10% of adults buckle up whereas seated within the rear and solely 8% of kids achieve this.
“This is because of very poor consciousness of the rear-seat belt’s position in saving lives. If you aren’t utilizing it, you aren’t solely growing the chance of being killed on the street however elevating the dying price considerably for these within the entrance seats.”
Wong mentioned seat cushions should not designed to cut back the affect of a crash like airbags.
“It is barely to make sure you are within the most secure place within the occasion of a crash. The airbag can even not deploy correctly if passengers fail to place on their seat belts.”
He added that seat belt reminders have been confirmed efficient, however some individuals discover it annoying and cheat the system by slotting in pretend buckles to chop off the alarm.
“Please make good use of the seat belt system. If you see your passengers bypassing it, advise them not to take action as it’s for his or her safety.”
Wong mentioned drivers and passengers have to practise good habits at any time when they’re in a automobile.
“We buckle up routinely as drivers, and we must always do the identical as passengers.
“Once now we have made it a behavior, we’ll do it routinely and really feel uncomfortable when not utilizing it.”
World Health Organisation Malaysia Road Safety marketing consultant Dr Kulanthayan Okay.C. Mani mentioned the RM1,000 superb or jail time period of as much as one 12 months or each imposed on these caught not utilizing seat belts is suitable, however enforcement must be tightened.
“Enforcement companies want to extend their presence on the street and perform actions like stopping automobiles for checks.
Kulanthayan mentioned everybody, together with members of the family, has a job to play in complying with site visitors guidelines.
“Instead of solely utilizing safety options to fulfil site visitors guidelines, we also needs to use them whether or not there are rules governing their use or in any other case.
“No matter the place we sit within the automotive, now we have to be restrained. Children, who’re above 135cm tall or weigh above 36kg, are match to make use of a seatbelt,” he mentioned.
