'Crash' is precise word for vehicle collision, says journalist

SHAH ALAM: A freelance motoring journalist yesterday suggested that media practitioners in the country use the word “crash" or "mishap" when referring to a motor vehicle collision instead of “accident” as it is more precise.

Shahrim Tamrin who has a vast experience highlighting transport related and road safety issues said the word “accident" gives an impression the crash was not preventable, despite the fact that a majority of collisions are caused by human negligence or error.

"In fact, a large percentage of crashes occurred due to human factor, attitude on the road, distracted driving, drunk or impaired driving or riding and neglecting safety practice in busy road traffic.

"All of these causes are preventable," he told Bernama after presenting a paper entitled 'Media reporting of road mayhem involving bikers - the things that hardly feature in the media' at the Motorcycle Safety Forum 2019 here yesterday.

Shahrim also advised media practitioners to be more critical and analytical when reporting road crash cases instead of just relying on facts given by authorities.

"For instance when reporting a particular crash, the journalist can go the extra mile by studying the history or trend of accidents which took place in a particular road stretch and relate it to their story.

"If there were many fatal accidents that happened in a particular stretch, they can do research why the stretch is very deadly and add the facts to their story.

"The reporting should have a fair reflection of the collision besides assisting the authorities," he said.

On another note, Shahrim suggested government agencies to organise media training for journalists to train them on how to conduct effective reporting when handling collisions.

He said the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia can jointly cooperate with the Ministry of Transport, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and Road Safety Department (JKJR) in organising such training courses in future.

Shahrim, who is a Miros board member, said he aimed to contribute his experience in the media, especially towards improving Miros' ability to convey road safety messages.

"I am willing to provide critical points of view and fresh ideas on communications for road safety which could help Miros to communicate effectively with the public about road safety issues," he said. - Bernama