The Malaysian Association of Standards in its article which appeared very recently, stated that, according to the Malaysian Automobile Association or M.A.A., some 536,905 new vehicles are expected to be registered in Malaysia this year alone, including passenger and commercial ones.

Although, it is compulsory now for front and rear seat passengers to wear seat belts when driving in Malaysia, there is actually no law which makes it mandatory for children to be strapped down when travelling in vehicles with parents and adults.

Before we proceed any further with this article, a “seat belt” may just only be a piece of cloth but remember, this simple invention, does save lives.

The World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention states that more than 1.2 million people die and as many as 50 million people are injured on our roads everyday. It is expected that this figure will rise by about 65% over the next 20 years, if steps are not taken to prevent traffic accidents.

My reading and researches made prior to writing this article, discovered some very interesting and startling facts which I feel should be shared with the blog readers.

Although the Road Transport Ordinance 1987 clearly states that a driver can be charged for non wearing of a seat belt, and can thus be imposed a fine of RM100 (section 119(2)), however, the law is silent on the wearing of a seat belt by children and small babies in Malaysia.

Readers might be surprised, that there are laws, when driving in other countries such as England, Australia, Germany and other European countries, which specifically insists the wearing of seat belts by the young.

In the United Kingdom, seat belts must be worn at all times by front and back passengers. Children under 12, must not sit in front seats. Except for infants or young children in baby or “booster” seats.
In Australia, seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers all the time. In New Zealand, the law says drivers and passengers must wear seat belts or child restraints at all times, in both front and rear seats. Children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front. They must be seated at the back. This is the regulation in Belgium.

In Finland, the law there says that seat belts are mandatory both at the front and rear seats. If you should be driving in France, do remember all passengers are mandatorily required to wear seat belts. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to sit in front and must be seated at the rear with a seat belt tightly fastened.

When driving in Germany, drivers are reminded that seat belts are mandatory for passengers sitting both in front and at the back. There exists a fine, for each person not using a seat belt, on the spot.
The rule regarding seat belts in Portugal requires children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front. Unless they are over 150 cm tall. Baby and booster seats are compulsory for children up to 12 years of age.

In Italy, children who are under 4 years of age are not allowed to travel unless they are seated in a child safety seat that has met with safety regulations. Children under 12 years are not allowed to sit in front and must be seated at the back safely fastened.

From my reading with regards to seat belts, most countries seem to make it compulsory for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. Spain, Sweden, Austria, Greece, Ireland and Netherlands, are examples of countries which make it a compulsory ruling to use seat belts.

In my reading on this subject on seat belts, some countries do not seem to mention the use of seat belts in their countries. Most likely, it is therefore assumed that the use of seat belts there, is not compulsory. Countries which fall into this category include China, Indonesia, Israel and Egypt.

Now that you know that most countries make it compulsory for the use of seat belts in vehicles, those in Malaysia, especially the authorities should ponder over this problem very seriously and come up quickly with a ruling to make it mandatory for small children and babies to don seat belts as well.

A reader of this blog, a Mr. Patrick, from Florida state wrote in to tell us that down there, police will not hesitate to issue a summon to anyone who ferries a small child without the use of “baby seats” and strollers. That’s how safety conscious people are in the United State of America.

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Preventing accidents during going back home or balik kampung to the towns and villages where one lives, does not depend solely on safety campaigns organized by the authorities alone. During lectures conducted for would be drivers prior to their sitting for the Highway Code exam, I still remember an important topic entitled “Planning One’s Journey” to avoid accidents and mishaps happening.

This article intends to highlight a few things motorists should do prior to their long journey back home. Irregardless of whether you live in Pulau Pinang, Kota Bharu or Johor Baharu, it is imperative that preparations should ideally be made to make your journey back home safe.

Amongst some of the things I feel should be paid due attention are:

1) Condition of your vehicle.

Unless you possess a vehicle that is new or in good mechanical condition, one that would be able to withstand the stress of going through a few hundred kilometers of vigorous, pounding conditions and in all kinds of weather, think twice before embarking on a difficult journey back home to your kampung.

Assuming that you are working in Kuala Lumpur and you would like to make a 250 km journey home to your kampung in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah this forth coming Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebration, ask yourself one simple question – Is your present vehicle you are using capable of undergoing the tremendous strain it is about to undertake?

Therefore, prior to taking off on such a journey, what should you ideally do? Service your vehicle is my most ardent advise to your.

Ensure first and foremost your vehicle air-con unit is well serviced and provides cool and refreshing air to you and your vehicle will make one a better and safe driver. If will also provide you with a comfortable drive back home.

2) The condition of your brakes.

You have to check your brake oil level and the condition of your brake pads prior to starting off on a long journey back home. Accidents can easily take place if there two items are not in satisfactory conditions. So, take your car to your usual mechanic or workshop to have them look over your brakes. This is one duty you will not regret doing, believe me.

3) The condition of your vehicle tyres.

Experts say, a tyre is considered in good condition if it possesses 60% tyre tread. Anything less that this figure is termed as dangerous. Besides checking on tyre treads, also make it a point to check upon things such as balancing and alignment as well.

If you as a motorist is uncertain about such matters, seek out the assistance of your neighborhood tyre shop to help you.

4) Make sure you have enough money to pay for expenses.

Many motorists, irregardless of whether you believe or not, find that they sometimes have insufficient money to pay for tolls and expenses for drinks and refreshments incurred along the way back home. At times, your vehicle might possibly develop breakdowns.

I once sustained a brake failure breakdown near Batang Kali town a few years ago. With insufficient money in hand, I had to appeal to the mechanic attending me to permit me to go back to Rawang town to get the money required from the ATM machine.

So it is hoped that what has happened to me will not befall you as you travel back home to your beloved home town this coming Hari Raya occasion. Make sure you have enough money with you to deal with any unforeseen problems which might befall you.

5) Do not speed.

As you travel back home to your kampung, keep one important thing in mind. Remember, “Speed Kills”. The maximum speed along our national highway is 90 km/h for state roads while for expressways, the maximum speed is 110 km/h. Although the authorities say no road blocks will be set up this time around, nonetheless, speed traps and photographs will be taken against those who speed. I would like to advise all motorists to keep to a cruising speed, which is as a matter of fact, safer.

6) Check on your spare tyre.

Spare tyres are always important items as one travels back home to your hometown. Make sure that your spare tyres are inflated with air. Spare tyres which have no air in it is of no use should you sustain a tyre puncture along the way back home. So take note of this important advice.

7) Prepare fire extinguishers and medical first aid boxes.

A fire extinguisher, especially a portable one is of utmost importance to a motorist. It should be kept under the front seat of the driver. In such a position, it would be easily assessable to the driver in time of emergencies. Medical first aid boxes should also be made available in any vehicle which is making a journey back home to the place from where one originates.

The above 7 tips represent some of the important things which a motorist has to keep in mind as he drives back home for the forthcoming festive occasion this approaching Hari Raya.

Drive carefully and I hope you will arrive safe and sound to be with your family and loved ones. Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to one and all.

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Unlike other festive occasions previously, Hari Raya celebrations scheduled for 31st August 2011. The Road Transport Authorities (RTD) and the Police this year, they will no longer organize any road blocks. This is to ensure a smoother flow of traffic as a result of the impending Hari Raya “balik kampung” rush.

During that time, Malaysians, especially our Muslim brethren will once again take part in the annual balik kampung exodus to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri festive occasion with their families and friends back home.

Unlike the other years, where Operations Sikap campaigns were organized, this year, the authorities reiterate there will no longer be such operations.

Malaysian motorists should not feel elated just because no roadblocks will be organized this year. The RTD said that more than 35,000 of its department’s officers will be engaged to man all major roads and highways throughout the country to help reduce the number of fatalities that usually accompany such festive occasions as New Year celebrations, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas.

Inspite of not setting up road blocks, nevertheless, JPJ officials would be on the road in disguise to snap photographs of motorists who commit traffic offences.

The JPJ in its Ops Samaran campaign in conjunction with last year’s Chinese New Year celebrations, held between January 21st to 22nd of February 2011, was said to have recorded some 7,229 offences. 3,887 of them were reported to have been committed by motorists who beat the traffic lights.

In line with this year’s road safety exercise JPJ public relation officer, Cik Noraini Mohd Nawi said the department hopes the public would assist the department take photographic evidences of motorists committing traffic offences.

Cik Noraini also said photographs taken by the public should be clear as well as showing the offences and the vehicle number plate. If possible, the location of the offense should ideally be included as well.

Motorists who are caught breaking traffic rules would be called up for interviews by the department and issued with summons later. Those who failed to attend the interviews would then be blacklisted.

Where can the public send photographs of offences to? Such pictures of offences can be forwarded to JPJ email at aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my.

If you have been frustrated by the number of road users breaking traffic laws on the road, you can now take out your digital camera or camera phone and start snapping away! All of us should do our part to help the authorities to make our Malaysian roads safer.

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