‘If I was a second slower, I wouldn’t have avoided car’

BUKIT MERTAJAM: What was supposed to be his normal routine of driving his child from their home in Taman Pauh to a school in Kepala Batas turned into a close shave with death caused by a car that went against traffic near Permatang Pauh on Tuesday morning.

Ahmad Safwan Ujar, 34, was among those who escaped from being crashed by the Proton Gen 2 that was driven by a woman, believed to be high on drugs, along the North-South Expressway (NSE) near Permatang Pauh.

Safwan, who is a member of the Muslim Care Malaysia Society, said he was sending his child to school in Bertam in his 4x4 pickup truck when he saw the Gen 2 in front of him.

“Traffic towards Kepala Batas was light. While manoeuvring a slight bend after descending from the Permatang Pauh flyover, I saw the Gen 2 driving towards me at high speed. I immediately swerved to the left lane.

“I’m glad that I was focused. If I was a second slower, I wouldn’t have been able to avoid the car. I am shaken by the incident, especially as my child was with me.”

Safwan said he saw the driver of the Gen 2 as the car roared past at high speed.

“I was relieved that I could avoid her, but my immediate concern was about the other cars behind me. I prayed very hard hoping that nothing untoward would happen. I thought the driver would eventually stop.

“As I approached the NSE Sungai Dua toll plaza, I saw a stalled Perodua Alza at the spot where vehicles make U-turn.

“I saw some damage on the Alza and saw the front bumper of a Gen 2. A white Honda Civic was also damaged.”

On his way back, Safwan said he saw several mangled cars on the road and was told that a man was killed in the crash.

“I hope that the authorities will investigate the case thoroughly so that there will be justice for the victim’s family.”