NST Leader: When sirens are not shields for immunity
SUCH is the reality of fatal traffic accidents in Malaysia — victims don’t need to be driving, travelling in an express bus or crossing the road to become collateral damage.
Fatal traffic accidents in Malaysia are not limited to those driving or traveling in heavy traffic, as pedestrians can also become victims. This was evident in a sad incident at Jalan Sultan Ismail on Wednesday, where an Immigration Department Black Maria, with its siren activated, allegedly ran a red light and collided with a car driven by a family of four.
The father and two daughters tragically lost their lives, while the mother remains hospitalized. Despite the police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances, and official government vehicles being permitted to run red lights in emergencies, drivers who cause accidents due to reckless driving or lack of caution can face civil or criminal liability.
The Immigration Department has initiated an inquiry into standard operating procedures and speed limits during operations in response to recent accidents. While some motorists accept the right of way of these vehicles, others obstruct their path deliberately. One instance involved a driver forcing an ambulance on sirens to pull over, resulting in a penalty for the offender.
Regardless, ambulances must ensure a clear line of sight when running a red light to prevent endangering road users. Civil law allows drivers to be sued for negligence, and if they cause serious injury or death, they can be charged under the Road Transport Act for reckless driving. Government vehicles are insured, but determining fault requires investigations using dashcam or CCTV footage at intersections.
The tragedy underscores the importance of drivers sharing equal responsibility to protect road users. The Immigration Department's inquiry should result in tangible changes, including driver refresher training, stricter operational protocols, dashcam or CCTV implementation, and clearer rules for navigating junctions during emergency deployments.
Proper training is crucial for drivers to negotiate heavy traffic, particularly at city junctions and blind intersections, regardless of traffic signals. Ultimately, the SOPs must effectively translate into real-world situations, not merely remain on paper.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
