21 Jun
MOTORISTS must refrain from using mobile phone while behind the wheel as it is the major cause of accidents in the country, said the Minister of Communications.
“People need to be more cautious, considerate and focus their attention on the road,” Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat told the media in his capacity as the Adviser of the Brunei National Road Safety Council (BNRSC), on the sidelines of a road safety campaign held in view of the upcoming Hari Raya festival outside The Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong yesterday.
“During this period, families are normally busy with festival preparations leading to traffic jams. We want to celebrate Hari Raya safely.
“One of the major causes of road accidents is the use of handphones while driving. Studies have found that the risk of accident is higher with the use of mobile phone while driving,” Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa said.
“While making a long journey back home and when crossing the border to the neighbouring states during the festival season, motorists need to have enough rest.”
“They must be fit to drive and stop and take a short nap if they feel tired. The vehicle must be in tip-top condition,” the minister added.
The road safety campaign is an activity held annually.
The Ministry of Communications (MinCom) and the Land Transport Department are currently focussing on three matters, namely: response to accident, investigation and research and prevention,” the minister noted.
Asked to elaborate further on response to accident, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mustappa said one of the aspects is the introduction of Motor Claims Guideline (MCG) which aims to expedite the process of dispersing motor accident cases and settlement of insurance claims. It will cover only minor accidents that do not involve any injuries, deaths and damage to government property and can be settled by the insurance company itself. This is to prevent a traffic jam following an accident. But if an accident involves damage to government property and injuries, then a police report must be made, he said, adding that dissemination of the MCG will be conducted soon. Asked on investigation and research, the minister said, based on findings, the majority involved in accidents are youths aged between 30-40.
Prevention covers issues like penalty and awareness campaigns that needed to be enhanced from time to time, the minister said.
At the event yesterday, BNRSC distributed goodie bags containing advisory leaflets cautioning motorists and cyclists on road safety, Hari Raya greeting cards and souvenirs.
Also present was the ACP Pengiran Mohd Jefri bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Hamid who is the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. He is also the Acting Director of Criminal Investigation.
Meanwhile a similar campaign was also held at the Giant Hypermarket in Tasik Rimba, led by the Permanent Secretary at the MinCom Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad as the Chairperson of BNRSC and the Acting Director of the Traffic Control and Investigation Department of the Royal Brunei Police Force Radin Jofri bin Radin Mas Basiuni.
At the Times Square Shopping Centre in Berakas, the campaign was led by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MinCom Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi and Acting Director of Land Transport Pengiran Mohammad Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud as the Deputy Chairman II of BNRSC.
Assistant Superintendant of Police Haji Mohd Helmi bin Haji Abdullah from Seria Police Station and a representative from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces 3rd Battalion in Lumut Captain Pengiran Abdul Hadi bin Pengiran Idris led the campaign at Roxana filling station.
Meanwhile, at Panglima filling station, the event was led by Assistant Superintendant of Police Muhammad Wafiy bin Zakaria from Belait Police Station and Haji Mahmud bin Haji Idris from Megamas Training Centre.
The campaign will be held in the districts of Tutong and Temburong on June 24.
Borneo Bulletin
June 21, 2017