In a statement, Hisham Shafe said the incident reflected a continued failure to address road safety issues in areas that intersect with wildlife habitats.
He said such incidents clearly showed the need for a comprehensive review by the relevant authorities – including the wildlife and national parks department, the public works department, and other related agencies – to identify high-risk areas or known wildlife hotspots.
“This review must be followed by concrete measures such as constructing dedicated wildlife crossings, installing highly visible warning signs, and implementing more systematic monitoring technologies,” the road safety activist said.
In the 2.30am incident, a young male elephant was said to have exited the forest on the left side of the highway.
Gerik police chief Zulkifli Mahmood was reported as saying that the 28-year-old lorry driver, who was heading to Jeli from Gerik, saw a large elephant at the side of the highway, after which the younger elephant suddenly attempted to cross the road.
The driver was unable to avoid the animal and crashed into it, killing it on the spot.
The larger elephant, believed to be its mother, became distraught and destroyed the front of the lorry.
Hisham said an important question for investigation was whether the lorry had been speeding, making it impossible to brake in time.
“This is crucial, especially in areas known as wildlife corridors, where vehicle speeds must be better controlled and drivers should be on high alert,” he said.
He added that foggy road conditions in certain areas were another serious factor that must not be overlooked.
“I urge the authorities to install special anti-fog lights and visual warning systems in such zones to maximise driver visibility and reduce the risk of accidents,” he said.
He said the tragedy could have been avoided with the proper regulation of speed, effective monitoring, and more responsive technical measures suited to local conditions.
“Road safety is not only about protecting human lives – it is also about our duty to the environment and the preservation of wildlife,” he said.