Call For Stricter Enforcement Of Traffic Rules
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan – Members of the public agreed that enforcements and follow-ups should be conducted by the police to complement road safety campaigns.

They said without enforcements or follow-ups, most road safety campaigns are just a waste of time and money.

"People usually respond when they are hit hard in the pockets. Therefore regular speed traps should be conducted along roads and highways to slow drivers down," they said.

Senior Supt Hj Rahim Hj Md Noor, Acting Director of Road Traffic and Investigation Department, said recently that the police will be conducting speed traps to catch errant drivers to curb the recent spate of fatal accidents.

He said that accidents were mostly caused by carelessness on the part of drivers while road and weather conditions as well as the absence of speed limits were only contributing factors.

"Drivers must drive slowly when it's raining or when the roads are wet. They should know that driving cars at higher speeds during rainy days would invite accidents to happen.

"Unfortunately, because of the carelessness of some drivers, other motorists, passengers and pedestrians are also involved in accidents, contributing to road fatalities," the public said.

They also hoped for police to be stationed at traffic lights to catch errant drivers who beat red lights.

"Its amazing to see how many drivers beat the traffic lights on any day. Drivers must get ready to stop on seeing the amber light but in Brunei many drivers increase their speed to beat the red light," they said.

They added that some drivers also entered no-entry junctions just to save time.

"Their actions endanger other drivers who are about to come out of the junctions. This is especially so at a particular junction at the commercial complex in Mile 1, Jalan Tutong.

"Perhaps the time has come for cameras to be fixed at traffic lights as well as noentry junctions to catch errant drivers," they said.

They also suggested for a longer minimum period of driving lessons to be imposed for learner drivers to ensure they have adequate training and knowledge.

"The attitudes of drivers need to be changed. All things in life start with manners. Bad manners on the road can cause deaths.

"Education on road safety should begin at primary school and continue even beyond driving school. What is also needed is public education as the issue involves pedestrians.

"There should be more permanent speed traps. Video cameras should be placed at traffic junctions," they said.

They also suggested for racing tracks to be constructed for drivers who take up motor racing as a hobby since it is safer to speed on the track than the open road. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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