IGP: Many accidents self-inflicted

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Don’t rubbish our efforts to keep the roads safe. This was the plea of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan yesterday, as he urged motorists not to place themselves in danger through their carelessness.
Describing most accidents as the result of deliberate human actions, he said many were "self-inflicting" tragedies on themselves.
"Why are you endangering your own lives and that of other road users through your actions on the road?" he asked.
Musa was dismayed by the behaviour of errant motorists who were undermining efforts by the police to keep the roads safe for Malaysians.
He was commenting on the 25 deaths, among them 17 motorcyclists, out of 921 accidents nationwide on Sunday, the first day of Ops Sikap XII.
This was a drastic increase over the 14 deaths in 825 accidents recorded during Ops Sikap X over the same Gong Xi Fa Cai period last year.
A frustrated Musa said police had repeatedly advised motorists not to become another statistic during festive periods.
Of the 25 deaths, four were on expressways, five on federal roads, seven on state roads, eight on municipal roads and one on other roads. Federal Traffic chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Datuk Nooryah Md Anvar said the statistics were worrying.
"The behaviour of inconsiderate road users is appalling. Don’t they think of their families, relatives and friends before they act?"
Nooryah said some motorists gave the impression that the authorities were out to "victimise" them.
"Actually, we are attempting to safeguard and protect them by enforcing traffic rules and regulations. We are not out to punish them without cause."

Meanwhile, several lawyers protested the Road Safety Department’s cash offer to the public for photographs of motorists allegedly committing offences.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy had announced RM150, RM100 and RM50 as the three top prizes daily.
"This can endanger the lives of motorists who attempt to use their mobile phones to photograph offenders. Such efforts should be out of social responsibility rather than seeking rewards," said Bar Council president Yeo Yang Poh.
Yeo urged the department to reconsider its offer in view of public safety and the legalities involved.
Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association president Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar said the move could give rise to abuse.
"The authenticity of the photograph will be questionable. Also, one is not guilty unless proven otherwise in a court of law."
Former deputy public prosecutor Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin said those victimised could take legal action against the Road Safety Department for posting the photographs on its website.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association president N. Marimuthu described the incentive as a bribe. "This is encouraging people to be money-minded. This should not be the way to educate society to be honest."
Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim suggested the department appoint station officers to record evidence at various locations.