‘WORKERS’ ATTITUDE BEHIND CRASHES’
Workers do not comply with guidelines during maintenance work, says Selangor cop
THE risk of road accidents is said to have increased with the lackadaisical attitude of workers, who do not comply with guidelines during maintenance work.
Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Superintendent Azman Shari’at said this was one of the offences committed, especially by small contractors.
“Others include placing safety cones too close to maintenance work areas, and not installing lights on maintenance vehicles.
“The offences are committed because of the laidback attitude of those who wanted to complete their maintenance work as fast as possible, without taking into account road users’ safety,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
Azman said road users should be wary of their surroundings while driving to avoid accidents.
“Negligence can cause accidents. This is when drivers are not aware of their surroundings, especially when driving at high speed, resulting in fatal accidents.
“Although accidents involving road maintenance vehicles are isolated, precautions need to be taken to avoid them.”
Road Safety Department public relations officer Mohd Zam Manaf said warnings and reminders of any road maintenance work should be conveyed to road users by the authorities.
“Install warning signs and reminders. If work is done at night, light up the work area so that it can be seen from a distance by road users.
“People are constantly reminded about this on many occasions.
“If there is any maintenance work or damaged vehicles being left at the roadside, warning signs need to be placed to caution road users.
“We are disappointed with this laid-back attitude.
“If reminders are taken seriously, some of the accidents could have been avoided.”
He said highway authorities should ensure that procedures for maintenance work were complied with.
He said there should be monitoring, apart from taking action against contractors who failed to comply with the procedures.