KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The 80 per cent increase in the number of registered vehicles over the last 10 years is one of the three main factors contributing to road accidents during the festive season, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said 17,971,901 vehicles were registered in 2008, while from January to August this year the number had increased to 18,673,523.
Another contributing factor was the increase in the number of driving licence holders, with a 47 per cent rise in the last 10 years.
"In 2008 there were only 457,613 licence holders while 344,777 new licence holders were registered from January to August this year.
"This means there is an average of 43,097 new licence holders, and it is projected that there will be 517,165 new licence holders for 2009," he said.
He was replying to a question from Datuk Dr Abdulla Md Zin (BN-Besut) who had asked for an explanation on the causes of accidents and the steps taken to overcome the problem.
When commenting further, Abdul Rahim said other contributing factors were reckless drivers and motorcyclists, those who did not fasten their rear and front seatbelts and those who did not use helmets.
Meanwhile, to a question from Er Teck Hwa (DAP-Bakri), Abdul Rahim said about RM8 million was allocated for rear seatbelt campaigns conducted by the Road Safety Department (JKJR) since the regulation was implemented early this year.
He said it included expenditure for print, radio, television and cinema advertisements as well as advocacy campaigns by JKJR headquarters and its state offices.
Abdul Rahim said the police, until August this year, had issued 803 summonses for not adhering to the rear seatbelt regulation.
"Meanwhile the Road Transport Department issued 9,379 summonses until September 2009," he said in reply to Er's question.
Er had asked about the amount spent since the campaign was launched and why enforcement was not implemented although free seatbelt installation was offered to certain car companies such as Proton, Perodua and Honda.
The government has agreed to give three years, starting this January, for those vehicles without rear seatbelts to have them installed.
After Dec 31, 2011 legal action will be taken on any owner failing to install rear seatbelts in their vehicle, which is a compound of not more than RM300.
Passengers who do not adhere to the rear seatbelt regulation will be fined RM2,000 or jailed not more than six months for a first offence, and RM4,000 or jail of not more than 12 months, or both for a second and consequent offences.
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