Miros: Ambulance drivers to undergo special training
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) had called for all ambulance drivers to undergo special training on driving techniques.
Miros chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said a previous joint study by Miros and the Institute for Health Systems Research on accidents involving ambulances had recommended that ambulance drivers be given special training on tech- niques to drive the vehicles.
“The training would be practical-based and with the use of driving simulators so that drivers undergo challenging driving situations in a safe manner.
“Training has to be done periodically to ensure that the drivers remain competent,” he said.
Lee said road accidents involving ambulances have raised questions among the public on the level of safety when using ambulances in emergencies.
“Police statistics from 2006 to 2014 showed that there were 646 accidents involving ambulances during the period.
“In 2006, 85 accidents were recorded. The number rose to 140 in 2009 and 183 cases in 2013. However, the numbers decreased in 2014, dropping to 103 cases.
“Most of the ambulance drivers involved in the accidents were aged between 30 and 39. Most accidents involved two vehicles on straight roads,” he said.