Agreement signing between LTD and Syarikat Megamas Training Co Sdn Bhd.
Amid the rise in number of road traffic accidents last year and no decline in serious and minor injury figures over the last three years, the Minister of Communications yesterday underlined the importance of training the drivers, besides providing infrastructure, road signs and organising road safety campaigns.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong said the Land Transport Department not only stresses on the need for vehicles to abide by the safety criteria but also the drivers should meet certain criteria on safety.
He said this at the official launching of the driving test and training complex in Kg Sg Akar yesterday.
"We have observed a rise in road accidents where last year, 3,110 cases and 38 deaths were recorded compared to 2,775 cases and 29 deaths in 2008. Serious and minor injuries too have not shown decline in the past three years. Besides the alarming figures, one should also take into account the loss of family life, dependence and loss of property. Hence, it is crucial to enhance awareness on road safety."
Acknowledging the urgent need to reduce road accidents and fatalities, the minister said efforts are not only confined to providing infrastructure, road signs and road safety campaigns, but also in the aspect of training which should be adequate both in theory and practice to produce sensible and cautious drivers that follow safety aspects.
It is the aspiration of the Ministry of Communications and Land Transport Department to fine-tune the driving school management system to meet the criteria of an educational institution.
This involves many aspects such as analysing and reviewing driving school curriculum not only involving theory to understand road rules and regulations but also driving skills, fine-tune the registration system of driving instructors by ensuring that they meet the requirements to be registered as instructors, as well as to ensure that the premises or driving school buildings meet the criteria as a learning centre or educational institution in terms of cleanliness, safety, comfort and other facilities.
The project in Kg Sg Akar began in 2002 on a 6.069-hectare site under the eighth National Development Plan. The driving test and training complex has two main facilities namely administration and management occupying 0.437 hectares including a parking lot and driving circuit covering 5.632 hectares.
To monitor the traffic, a 10-metre observation tower has also been built. The driving circuit has its own road signs, directions and warnings to give a true traffic experience as well as to introduce and familiarise new drivers with road regulations and signs.
The concept and training criteria of the circuit have been partly taken from the Singapore and Japan driving circuits. However, there are additional features such as a three-lane round about.
The ceremony yesterday was also highlighted with the presentation of certificates to driving school instructors, participants who attended the vehicle training and responsible drivers programme as well as good drivers.
The minister also witnessed the signing ceremony between LTD and Megamas Training Co Sdn Bhd in identifying the criteria that a facilitator should possess in handling training programmes relating to driving schools and instructors.
-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin