37 killed from driving against traffic

SHAH ALAM - Driving against the traffic is nothing new in this country causing devasting outcomes such as loss of life and lifetime disabilities.

The police are constantly reminding the public and implementing constant enforcement to put a stop to this dangerous activity, yet it does not seem to spark any fear to these hardcore perpetrators.

According to police statistics, a total of 37 fatal accidents have happened due to driving against traffic, which were recorded throughout this year until June 18.

Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Datuk Seri Mat Kasim Karim said that accidents involving this particular offence for the same period stands at 1,350 cases.

According to him, the number of road users who died were as many as 37 people, seriously injured (13 people), minor damage to vehicles (99 cases) and major damage (1,201 cases).

"All road users must obey the traffic rules that have been enforced.

"Riding or driving against the current is an act that endangers yourself and other road users.

"Enforcement and action can be taken under the Road Transport Act 1987 such as Section 41(1) which is causing death due to driving recklessly or dangerously, Section 42(1) which is driving recklessly and dangerously, Section 43(1) which is driving recklessly and thoughtlessly," he told Sinar Harian.

Mat Kasim noted that these cases are taken seriously and that enforcement is always carried out to ensure that road users understand and follow the traffic rules set.

He explained that all traffic signs placed on the road have a specific meaning or instruction.

"There are cases where drivers claim to be innocent, so in this matter, the proof of innocence lies on road users who failed to obey the traffic rules by referring to Section 119(1) of the Road Transport Act 1957.

"For cases that do not involve accidents, JSPT will take action under Section 79(2) of the same act," he said.

Fatal cases involving driving against the traffic:

June 14, 2023: A man died after being thrown off of his high-powered motorcycle from a bridge at Kilometer 22.2 of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Highway (Suke) on the Hulu Klang side in Ampang.

Ampang Jaya District Police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azam Ismail said that he received a report about the accident at 1.10pm.

"Preliminary investigations found that the victim Ahmad Fadzil Omar Azaddin, 64, was riding a Ducati Panigale motorcycle on a winding road.

"The victim then tried to avoid another motorcycle that was going against traffic, but he then hit the curb on the left side of the road before being thrown and falling under the bridge at a height of about 30 meters while his motorcycle was dragged to the middle of the road," he said.

Feb 25, 2022: One driver died while another was injured in an accident involving two cars on the Western Kuala Lumpur Traffic Dispersal Scheme (Sprint) Expressway in Kuala Lumpur.

Head of Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh said that in the accident at 1am, the two vehicles collided at Kilometer 6.2 while heading from Hartamas to Pantai Toll Plaza.

"The Perodua Axia driver, a 28-year-old man, made a U-turn at the Pantai Toll Plaza and drove against the current and hit a Proton Saga in the far left lane.

"The Perodua Axia driver suffered serious chest injuries and died at the scene while the Proton Saga driver, a 25-year-old man, was sent to Kuala Lumpur Pantai Hospital," he said.

Feb 6, 2022: A Road Transport Department officer died as a result of an accident at Kilometer 13 of Lingkaran Karak near a Shell gas station heading to Gombak Toll Plaza, Selangor.

Gombak District Police deputy chief Superintendent Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir said that the victim who was riding a motorcycle chased another motorcycle that ran away from a roadblock at the Gombak Toll Plaza going against the traffic.

According to him, as soon as he arrived at the scene of the accident, the motorcycle the victim was riding lost control and crashed on the road before being hit by a car that did not manage to avoid it at around 9.30am.

"The chase happened against traffic in the emergency lane from Gombak Toll towards Sri Gombak.

" The victim was believed to have lost control and crashed into the far left lane of the road before being hit by a car that did manage to avoid it," he said.

May 15, 2020: A motorcyclist died after being hit by a car going against traffic at the Penang Bridge entrance, Bukit Mertajam.

In the accident at 10.35am, a Produa Myvi was said to have crashed into two motorcycles on the route.

As a result of the collision, a motorcyclist identified as Muhamad Hafiz Bakri, 31, died at the scene while another victim, Lim Kar Tian, 34, suffered a broken left leg.