Factors That Causes Road Accident

This decade, the issue of road accidents is increasingly becoming the focus of a major
newspaper discussion. This phenomenon is increasingly critical and troubling. The
percentage of accidents is increasing from year to year, especially during the festive
seasons. This is because community members in Malaysia are so excited to get to the
destination immediately and ignore the importance of regulation on the road. This scenario
cannot be left over. There are many causes of road accidents and there are also cases that
cause death.

Among the major causes of the accident include the driver's own negligence when
using the road. Many drivers drive in a drunken and drowsy state. This is because drivers
are selfish, careless while driving and not obeying road regulations. Additionally, drivers
often use the phone while driving. Global Positioning System (GPS) usage in vehicles may
also be fatal. Indirectly, drivers are not only risking their lives but also the lives of other road
users. For example, a road crash in Kota Bharu, three friends were killed when their car
broke down and crashed into another vehicle and believed to drive the car speedily. Most
drivers and delinquent motorcyclists love to drive over speed limits.

According to a study by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UTM), the driver's attitude when
on the road is the dominant factor of road accidents. It is undeniable that the current driver
looks lightly on road rules set by the authorities. The proof is that many drivers who fail to
comply with the speed limit especially when driving on the highway cause them to fail to
control the vehicle when trying to turn right or left at the corner of the road. Additionally, the
risk for an accident is higher for those driving in drowsiness or getting drunk. This is because
drivers driving during drowsiness will lose their concentration while driving and indirectly
cause the vehicle.

In addition, road accidents are also due to the fact that most drivers do not have a
license. Some drivers also use fake driving licenses. Therefore, when it does not have a
valid license, then the driver is definitely inefficient and unusual to drive the vehicle. This will
result in an accident. Thus, a person who does not have a driver's license is advised not to
drive on the road.

Driver negligence before driving also contributes to the cause of road accidents.
They are often unprepared to ensure their vehicles are in good condition and do not maintain
their vehicles at service centre. As a result, their vehicles are not serviced. For example, a
"bald" tire will cause the car to easily lose control especially when it rains and invites the
driver to crash. Therefore, it is clear that careless drivers and carelessness of their vehicle
cause accidents.

Moreover, road accidents also occur due to physical factors of the road. Improper
road conditions cause the road to be more dangerous when it rains. Potholes and jagged
roads cause vehicle tires to not grasp the surface of the road. As a result, the vehicle easily
lost control and broke into a horrible accident. This horrific accident will grow when the day
of festivities and more widespread. It is clear that poor road structures and poorly maintained
roads cause fatal accidents.

Apart from the rugged road structure, road infrastructure failures can also be
dangerous to road users especially those who drive at night. As we all know, Malaysians
love to travel at night, especially during festive seasons to avoid traffic congestion problems.
However, the absence of street lights along the road led to the dark environment and the
driver's vision of the objects before them was limited. This condition not only disturbs the
focus of the driver but also indirectly causes the driver to not realize the exact position of
their vehicle. In addition, the absence of road dividers, especially Genting Highlands,
increases the risk of a collapsed vehicle falling into steep valleys. Therefore, it is clear that
road accidents also occur when road infrastructure is in poor condition.

In the other hand, weak law enforcement is also one of the causes of road accidents.
Fines and compounds of RM 300 for heavy offenses such as driving over speed limits,
reducing the red traffic lights are ineffective as drivers are able to pay the fine. In addition,
‘Ops Sikap’ and roadblocks are only active during the festive seasons. As a result, drivers
are not afraid to make a mistake on the road because they are able to pay the imposed fines
and assume the fines are as meaningless.

All of the above are among the causes of road accidents rising in our country. In fact,
fatal accidents on roads are caused by a variety of factors. Road accidents not only cause
injuries and cause many lives lost, but have destroyed the environment and the facilities
available on the road. This has indirectly contributed to the downturn in the economy as the
government had to spend millions in rebuilding the road infrastructure. Road users should be
more careful when they are about to travel and drive vehicles carefully because it prevents
better from curing. If the community implements their respective obligations, then the
security of every user can be guaranteed. Therefore, every society and authority should
mobilize and work together to ensure that the rate of increase of fatal accidents can be
effectively addressed. With this, it is hoped that the people in Malaysia will be prosperous
without any traffic safety problems. Hence, the aspirations of our country to achieve
developed countries can be achieved and grasped. (1057 words)
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