By Saleh Mohammed

How many times have we read about accidents involving buses in the last few years?

It saddens me when I read the news about the bus which rammed 10 other vehicles on the North-South Highway (PLUS) on Sunday, after the Hari Raya holidays.

This is not the first time this has happened despite statements from the authorities to stop it from recurring.

According to the police, the bus driver had nine outstanding traffic summonses issued over the last four years while the company had been served with a total of 63 traffic summonses for various offences involving the particular bus involved in the accident.

The police also confirmed that the brakes on the vehicle were faulty.

However, as always, the focus will be on the bus driver. Remember MH370, when the focus was on the pilot for a few days?

Well, it is always easy to point a finger at someone when something goes awry.

But, what is the root cause?

What were the deterrent actions taken against the company that owns the bus with 63 traffic summonses? Why did the company employ a driver who had nine outstanding summonses?

Would the relevant authorities care to check the maintenance records for the ill-fated bus?

During all major festivals, we continue to come across such mishaps but what are the steps taken to reduce these incidences?

The police will have various “operasi” and also have a jolly good time issuing summonses, but I suggest the police be more proactive.

Surely by now they should know the various notorious danger spots (or black spots). Proper measures must be instituted around these areas.

Are they also aware of the psychology or attitude of motorists before and/or after being stuck in a massive traffic jam?

On those dangerous stretches, what has Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia done to make it safer for road users? Its KPI shows 100% achievement.

Summonses will increase the government’s coffers but I believe the costs of accidents are much higher than the income from the summonses if we consider the costs to the government and also the motorists.

The consequences to the motorists include repair and medical costs, opportunity time lost and loss of “no claim discount” on their insurance premiums. This does not include loss of precious lives, God forbid.

There is a report that we need the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) which is an integration of the AES and Kejara points demerit system. Better late than never to implement it but the question of enforcement may raise its ugly head.

Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said: “Everybody must be responsible, from the authorities to bus companies. Safety must be a priority.”

I think the relevant authorities here should learn from Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri which transferred the responsibility of calculating income tax to the taxpayers.

In this case, the bus companies are the major players and responsibility should be heavily weighed on them. If need be, licences should be revoked. Again, the question of enforcement.

In our march to achieve developed nation status, we should change our approach in handling traffic/accident cases. As they say, prevention is better than cure.

Assuming that not much action is taken against bus companies, I must give credit however, to the relevant authorities taking action against illegal cyber outlets.

We read about raids on cyber outlets and many times, this includes the seizure of modified computers. But they seem to be back in business in a jiffy.

Again, what is the root cause?

Are these cyber outlets untouchable or politically well-connected?

Let us now consider the amount of thought given to analyse a root cause.

Polystyrene will be banned in the Federal Territories with effect from Jan 1, 2017. The honourable minister’s reasoning is that it is harmful to the environment.

Last September, the New York Supreme Court overturned the New York City’s ban on plastic foam containers and packaging as there was evidence that recycling was a feasible option.

Even the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has determined that polystyrene is safe for use in contact with food. However, the quality of our polystyrene for recycling is a concern.

Experts have even put forward facts and figures to show that polystyrene is less harmful compared to paper boxes, which contribute more to carbon emissions, energy used, weight of wastage and transport costs. Ultimately, it is consumers who will bear these costs.

It seems we are banning one type of product and replacing it with another that does not solve the problem.

We have seen many cases where decisions are business-driven without scientific support, nor environmental and cost considerations.

What Malaysia needs now are smart decisions which take into consideration views from all stakeholders and are sustainable from the perspective of time, costs and the environment.

Saleh Mohammed is an FMT reader.

With a firm belief in freedom of expression and without prejudice, FMT tries its best to share reliable content from third parties. Such articles are strictly the writer’s personal opinion. FMT does not necessarily endorse the views or opinions given by any third party content provider.