Bandar Seri Begawan - Authorities are hoping that road accidents in Brunei continue its declining trend as the Sultanate could be posting its lowest road accident counts over the last five years.

According to the statistics from the Traffic 'Investigation and Control Department of the Royal Brunei Police Force, as of August 31, 2009 the total number of road accidents is 2,036 with 22 fatal cases compare to 2,775 cases recorded last year and 2,674, in 2007.

With only the final quarter of the year to go before the year ends, it is very possible that the country records a new low in accidents.

The statistics from September are still being tallied which will give a better indication of where road safety for Brunei stands this year, but already the signs are promising.

However fatal cases have risen to 22, with 26 deaths from all road accidents. In 2008 the number of fatalities on Brunei's roads were 29. Nevertheless, mad users are now taking a more serious view on their behaviour on the roads and showing concern about finding themselves on the wrong side of the law. "Having speed traps regularly and roadblocks definitely have an effect on road users," said S Hong, from MataMata, adding that it is good and healthy, but it is only effective for a short time".

His view polarises the opinion that the police cannot be at all places all the time and very much depended on the road users. "It's all about driving etiquette, education and safety awareness, that without these and when the police is not around people will continue with their bad driving habits," he added.

Authorities have played a starring role this year, following their success in almost halving the number of fatalities on the road last year. There are those however, who are skeptical about their fellow road users and the traits which they continue to exhibit. "Talking on the mobile phone while driving is still common," said one local who requested for anonymity admitting that on some occasions, he did it too.

"Sometimes when I'm in a conversation and the other party will say, 'wait, I have to put my phone down, there's police,' and then continue talking after," he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hamdi from Berakas says that the police presence cannot be understated. "Now that people realise that parts of the roads are being monitored by the police, they don't speed as much, and drive more responsibly," said Mohammad who regularly commutes to Belait District.

He also called on more road safety campaigns to help with raising the road safety awareness among the community as a whole. "Everyone has to play their part and thankfully the police have done theirs. Now it is time for the public and mad users to do so too," he added. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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