Ismail Kasim (BN-Arau) took the agency and ministry responsible for road safety to task today for shifting the blame for fatal road accidents away from themselves.

"The JKJR (Department of Road Safety) and Transport Ministry use ‘escapism factors' to escape responsibility in cases involving horrific fatal accidents. They blame bad drivers, bad weather and bad road engineering," chided Ismail while debating the Transport Ministry budget during the committee stage of the 2012 Supply Bill.

accidents 260906 car accidentHe mentioned the ministry's common answer of blaming drivers who abused substances as the ones responsible for accidents, which he contends is a classic example of shifting the blame without taking effective measures to resolve the matter.

"They blame drivers who used drugs, but they only arrest one or two and still allow bus companies to save cost by using only one driver for long-haul trips."

The same he argued, went for the ministry's excuse that it cannot enforce rules to ban use of counterfeit auto parts, whose inconsistent quality may impair functionality of vehicles and lead to road accidents.

"They say it is not under their powers but is the responsibility of another ministry."

He urged the JKJR as the agency responsible and the works ministry which has oversight as well, to stop blaming others to escape responsibility and start taking concrete steps to improve road safety.


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