By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 2: In Kuching alone, the number of road accidents surged by 610 cases or 11.2 per cent, rising from the 6,054 incidents reported in 2023 compared to 5,444 incidents in 2022.
Sarawak also experienced a 10 per cent increase in fatal accidents in 2023, documenting 378 incidents out of 21,418 road accidents.
This was in contrast to the 344 fatal accidents out of 19,507 road accidents in 2022, according to the statistics from the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department.
Negligence by drivers accounted for 85 per cent of the causes of road accidents, followed by rearing vehicles (25 pct), speeding and crashing (24 pct), exiting/entering junctions (19%), and other contributing factors.
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sarawak also noted a 10 per cent increase in new vehicles, totalling 142,961 new registered vehicles in the State between 2020 and 2022.
Speaking at the Kuching Division Road Safety Awareness Campaign held at a Petronas station along Jalan Batu Kawah here today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised that it is the responsibility of every driver and rider to ensure their safety and that of others on the roads.
“In the first six months of 2023, we lost 355 people in accidents along the Pan Borneo Highway.
“I think we don’t need rocket scientist to understand why. There is an increase in the number of cars and motorcycles, which naturally lead to more road accidents,” he said.
With a higher likelihood of road accidents, especially during festive celebrations such as the coming Chinese New Year, Dr Sim highlighted the importance of the road safety campaign to remind all road users to exercise caution and courtesy.
“The Sarawak government values its people. We cannot afford to lose more people on the road, especially after Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected our birth rate. Previously, we had 40,000 new births annually, but during the pandemic, the birth rate dropped significantly to only 20,000.
“That means we are losing people, considering that on average 15,000-17,000 Sarawakians die from natural causes per year,” he pointed out.
Urging people to cherish their lives, Dr Sim reminded motorists to drive and ride responsibly and stay vigilant on the roads, to ensure a safe and joyous celebration.
“We love you and don’t want unfortunate events to happen to anyone; we would rather see you in kopitiams,” he added.
The campaign jointly organised by the Sarawak Road Safety Council and Ministry of Transport Sarawak in collaboration with Kuching Division Resident Office witnessed the presentation of helmets to riders as well as Chinese New Year goodie bags.
Deputy Minister of Transport (Land and Air) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai, Kuching Division Resident Norleha Shariff and JPJ Sarawak deputy director Noraini Mohd Nawi were among those present. — DayakDaily
