'Road crashes costing Malaysia RM30b yearly'

Malaysia is facing an annual economic burden of up to RM30 billion due to road accidents, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. The figure encompasses the economic value of risks associated with fatalities, including lost productivity, income, treatment costs, and the impact on families and society. The loss of life, however, is beyond monetary valuation.

Last year, road accidents claimed 6,537 lives, averaging 18 deaths per day, with 80.6 percent of accidents attributed to human factors. Nanta emphasized that road safety is a collective responsibility, requiring a multi-faceted approach involving education, enforcement, technology, and improved infrastructure. The minister stressed that the primary goal is to build and maintain safer roads to reduce risks and minimize human error, rather than merely repairing roads after accidents.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.