~ BorNeo BuLLeTiN ~
~ 08/07/2014 ~
WITH the recent rise in fatal car accidents, Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin
Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, the Permanent
Secretary at the Ministry of Communications who is the Chairperson of
the Brunei Darussalam Road Safety Council, made visits to some of the
crash sites and viewed the wreckages of the cars.
Accompanying him was Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mohd Yunos,
the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications.
One of the sites of the accidents which claimed the life of a teenager was along the Kuala Belait-Seria Highway.
After inspecting the wreckage of the car, Abdul Mutalib said, “There
are three aims of these visits. (The first aim is) to remind the public,
especially parents, to cooperate to ensure that teenagers do not drive
if they do not possess a valid driver’s licence.
“The second aim is to remind pedestrians, especially joggers and
cyclists not to use the main roads, especially highways because there
were cases where pedestrians were hit by cars.
Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd
Yusof, the Permanent Secre-tary at the Ministry of Communications,
looking at one of the cars involved in an accident.
“We appeal to pedestrians not to use the roads, especially at night,
even when equipped with lights or reflectors. Pedestrians and cyclists
are also urged to always go in the opposite direction to the traffic.”
He reminded drivers of the final aim of the visits. “Always be alert.
Some of the incidents were due to the negligence of the drivers. Some
were caused by (drivers) using smartphones whether to text or make a
call.
“The accident which happened in Mumong is similar to the case which claimed the lives of five teenagers in Jerudong last year.”
Before Abdul Mutalib visited the crash sites and saw wreckages of the
cars, he performed the Sunnat Hajat prayer and Doa Tolak Bala after
performing the mass Zohor prayers at the Jamalul Alam Mosque in Kuala
Belait.
Also present were Dr Awang Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, the Acting
Director of Land Transport Department, as well as officials from the
Royal Brunei Police Force and members of the Brunei Darussalam Road
Safety Council.