4 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Nurture a safe driving culture with 'Stay at 110kph' campaign
LETTERS: Speeding seems to have become a widely accepted "traffic norm" in Malaysia.
For example, on a dual-lane expressway with a speed limit of 110kph, if you don't want to trail behind slower vehicles such as lorries, trucks, buses or cars travelling at 80 or 90kph in the left lane, you have to move into the right lane.
The problem is, when you drive in the fast lane at the legal limit of 110kph, it's common to be tailgated by speedsters flashing their high beams and turning on their right signal light persistently — pressuring the law-abiding driver like you, to give up the fast lane.
This behaviour is widespread whether the speed limit is 60, 90 or 110kph. Similar scenes are observed on all classes of roads.
The contrast with Singapore is particularly striking, where strict enforcement has led to a culture of law-abiding driving.
I propose that we launch a public awareness campaign called "Drive Wise. Stay at 110kph" campaign (adjusted according to the actual speed limit of the road).
But in order for this campaign to truly make an impact in society, several key factors must be seriously considered:
1. Strengthen enforcement mechanisms: The authorities should improve automated enforcement systems and install more Automated Enforcement System (AES) speed cameras.
Also introduce artificial intelligence-powered speed detection and automated penalty systems and penalise dangerous driving behaviour more severely, establish a nationwide public reporting platform and implement a reward-based system for reporting violations.
2. Deepen public safety education: The Transport Ministry can introduce dedicated traffic etiquette assessments, promote this movement through social media outreach, install dynamic Light Emitting Diode (LED roadside signage (for example, "The Fast Lane is not a Racing Lane" slogans), engage celebrities or influencers as road safety ambassadors.
Other moves include developing a safe driving rewards app, partner with radio stations to broadcast reminders during peak hours, encouraging drivers to respect speed limits and practise courteous driving.
3. Address collective psychology: By leveraging social media, more people can participate in the "110kph Movement" and gradually adopt it as a daily conscious behaviour, leading to the formation of a new, collective driving culture.
Such a culture can normalise law-abiding driving habits, helping the public view speed-limit adherence as a sign of civic maturity.
