Industry experts today urged the government to outline a more drastic national transport policy in order to curb road accidents.

They were speaking at the Road Safety forum organised by the New Straits Times in Kuala Lumpur today.

Malaysian Express Bus Operator Association president Zamri Mahmud said a tougher transport policy should include a properly planned public transport infrastructure for the future.

"Without a comprehensive policy, the public and concerned parties are unable to identify future requirements of transportation and an unplanned infrastructure will cause everything to go haywire," he said.

Citing an example, Zamri said the introduction of the 'black boxes' a few years ago have failed because "no genuine effort and research" was done before the implementation. The device is to function as a speed limiter.

"Unfortunately, the introduction only allowed certain people to make money and the transport system has not benefitted from that," he said.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Lorry Owners secretary-general Alwin Chong highlighted the issue of heavy vehicle drivers in possession of fake certificates of fitness. (A heavy vehicle driver is required to pass a fitness test in order to obtain a driving licence.)

"But the certificate could easily be purchased. It costs only RM20 as revealed in a news report recently," he said.

Chong claimed that heavy vehicle drivers who are drug addicts were the cause of the increasing number of major accidents in the country.

"The health and transport ministries failed to address this issue, they need to come out with a strategy to ensure these drivers are healthy because (this phenomenon) will endanger other road users," Chong stressed.

Other speakers at the forum included representatives from the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Taxi Operator Association, Automobile Association of Malaysian Road Safety Committee, Petroleum Lorry Tanker Operators of Malaysia, Insurance Association of Malaysia and the police.

Timely forum

Most of them made similar calls on the need for the government to formulate a more comprehensive transport policy.

About 120 people were present including Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and NST Press chief executive officer Syed Faisal Albar.

The forum was moderated by NST group editor Ahmad A Talib ( left ).

In his keynote address, Ahmad said the forum was initiated to share Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's concern on road safety.

He said the forum was timely in view of the many fatal accidents during the recent festive season.

Sharing his views, Muhyiddin ( right ) said that "road accidents and road safety has now become an issue discussed by the cabinet every week."

He said the loss of one life is a great loss because "life is invaluable and priceless" adding that "it is also the future human resources that we have to save."

The minister also commended NST's initiative in organising the forum, saying it was a "good start" ahead of the government's plan to organise a similar one.

The premier said two weeks ago that he wanted to gather opinions from the public on road accidents and proposed a national forum to discuss the issue.