KUCHING, Sept 21: A total of 1,866 “Tiada Minggu Tanpa Advokasi” (TMTA) programmes have been implemented since 2004 to advocate road safety awareness, including the dangers of driving under alcohol influence, among road users in the country.
Deputy Transport Minister Hasbi Habibollah said, among the main activities under TMTA, were collaboration between the food and beverages premises, together with entertainment centres to enhance awareness concerning their responsibilities and actions besides raising the awareness related to drunk driving offences.
He noted that a special programme advocating the dangers of driving under alcohol influence was also organised in restaurants and bars, being implemented alternately with other road safety programmes such as the importance of using seat belts.
“The ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ campaign was also carried out regularly, and the latest one was on July 17, this year in restaurants and premises that sell liquor, namely around Kajang, Semenyih, Petaling Jaya, and Puchong. The same programme is also continuously held throughout the country, including in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Penang.
“In addition, the ministry has also taken the initiative to hold a discussion together with the alcoholic beverages manufacturers, requesting them to put a warning label regarding the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol,” he said in the Dewan Negara sitting today.
Hasbi said this in response to the question from Senator Ismail Yusop who asked the deputy transport minister whether there is a programme or cooperation from the ministry in advocating the awareness of driving under alcohol influence.
Hasbi also pointed out that his ministry had also conducted an engagement session with the e-hailing service providers, to cater for those individuals who consumed alcoholic beverages.
This approach, he said, which was jointly organised by the ministry through its agency such as the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), aimed at changing the mentality of the public who are under alcoholic influence to not get behind the steering wheel and encouraging them to utilise the public services provided.
“The ministry and all its key agencies will continue to intensify the educational awareness and advocating of public road safety.
“At the same time, the ministry would like to call on all stakeholders, including the non-governmental organisation (NGOs), the food and beverages operators, public transportation service providers and others to work together with the ministry in ensuring this effort is a success for the well-being and safety of all Malaysians,” he added. –DayakDaily.
