| Azlan Othman |
ROAD accidents claimed more lives in 2017 than in the previous year, the Minister of Communications said.
Road traffic deaths last year increased by 71 per cent compared to 2016. A total of 3,552 cases with 29 deaths were reported in 2017 compared to 3,375 cases with 16 fatalities in the previous year which saw a drop of 53 per cent in casualties compared to 2015, Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof revealed at the second meeting of the Brunei National Road Safety Council (BNRSC) yesterday.
“Road accidents and deaths are rising at an alarming rate and firm initiatives are required to be taken by relevant parties in line with the strategic direction set by BNRSC,” he added.
“I would like to give emphasis to data analytics approach in identifying the main causes for accidents. In this regard, the Ministry of Communications is planning to enhance its data analytics capacity.
“In analysing data, solid cooperation between the Transport Research Centre of Universiti Teknologi Brunei, the Ministry of Education, the Royal Brunei Police Force, the Ministry of Communications and other skilled agencies is highly important, and they should work together to find the true cause of road accidents,” the minister, who is also the Chairperson of BNRSC said.
It will be the priority of the Ministry of Communications to assist the BNRSC in drawing up appropriate remedial measures to ensure road safety and wellness of the public, Awang Abdul Mutalib added.
“In addition to data analytics, the council will further emphasise on deterrent approaches to reduce fatal accidents. Equally important are action-oriented initiatives towards ensuring road safety awareness and alertness among drivers and road users.”
“In implementing the deterrent approach, the role of the media is important in publicising the relevant traffic rules and regulations that are currently in force and cultivating a security-conscious mindset among members of the public.
“There is also a need for cooperation from all parties including the general public. Apart from the government, private parties, non-government organisations (NGOs) and voluntary associations can come forward to help in spreading road traffic awareness,” the minister said.
The minister said the BNRSC has embarked on new strategy with the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, which includes a slew of reforms.
“The BNRSC chairmanship which was previously on par with the level of the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications has now been upgraded to the ministerial level whereby it is now chaired by the Minister of Communications. Now, BNRSC also has two co-deputy chairpersons – the Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force and also the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications,” the minister said.
“In addition, the new BNRSC members are from various prominent backgrounds and those with vast experience in the government, non-government, academic and private sectors and the Legislative Council. Some memberships have also been raised to the permanent secretary level.
“The function and role of the Secretariat of the BNRSC has been further strengthened with its membership covering the Ministry of Communications and the Land Transport Department to make it more focussed.”
With this new structure, several action groups will also be established with the involvement of all levels of society and under the leadership of various ministries, in line with the whole-of-nation approach.