Beating traffic jams

Time is money to the professional businessperson. Thus, the worst thing that could happen to them is by idling their time away by getting stuck in a traffic jam. Although a handphone may be of some consolation to getting some things done, nothing is compared to the "professional" time wasted in traffic jams.

An average motorist probably earns between RM2,500 to RM 4,000 a month, thus earning approximately RM10.50 to RM16.50 an hour. If a motorist gets stuck in a traffic jam for an average of 2 hours each day, they are effectively losing between RM21 and RM33 everyday. Based on an estimate of 50,000 motorists on the road each day, we have a monumental loss that could run between RM105 million and RM165 million per day! That's a huge sum even though it's only based on estimation but that's the common scenario we have on our busy Kuala Lumpur roads. This bad traffic does not even include the inflow of the morning traffic into the city or the outflow of evening traffic to the suburbs.

There is constantly bad traffic on our roads. And that's not half as bad as when the rainy season starts.

With high traffic in our city at all times, it doesn't take much to start a jam. An accident, a car breaking down, burst pipes, power failures affecting the traffic lights, haphazard parking or anything unusual happening along the road- 4D numbers anyone?

What's more, the high number of road constructions constantly going on at the same time doesn't help to ease traffic flow either.

The traffic situation is further worsened by the high number of single occupancy vehicles. Motorists can help themselves if they practice car-pooling, but car-pooling is only successful if it is done amongst colleagues from the same company. And car-pooling won't work among those who need to mobile in their line of work- and this number of people is huge. Car-pooling is usually inconvenient and other countries have applied it with little success. Why should Malaysia be any different?

Traffic jams are stressful for the motorist, more so if he or she is late for an appointment or function and getting nowhere anytime soon. It is also unhealthy- with vehicle exhaust including harmful substances such as hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, etc, that causes polluted air, haze and acid rain.

To make matters worse, fewer parking spaces will be allocated on public roads with higher parking fees. New buildings constructed are not required to include ample parking space. This will directly cause congestion on the roads worse.

Although there are measures being taken currently to lessen the present worsening situation, implementation is slow and takes time.

In the future, a zoning system will be introduced (similar to that of Singapore) whereby motorists are not allowed to enter the city during certain hours unless they have a special permit. Motorists will then be forced to take public transport into the city while leaving their car at the LRT (Light Rail Transit) or Komuter stations.

Currently the LRT operates from Ampang to Jalan Sultan Ismail- Jalan Raja Laut junction. It is quick and convenient for those who live near the route with feeder buses working to pick up passengers who don't live on the same route. The LRTs cheap ticket price would also appeal to passengers as they would rather spend less on a ticket rather than wasting petrol being stuck in a traffic jam.

The Komuter is also a good alternative, but unlike the LRT system, its schedule is a lot less frequent. There are however, improvements being made as KTM has begun providing services at 15-minute intervals during the morning and evening rush hours.

As for buses, Intrakota now offers better service compared to the old "bas mini's" of yesteryear, as it is air-conditioned and cleaner. Punctuality however, is something to be desired although that could be the sole result of bad traffic- a chicken and egg situation here.

Traffic jams costs big money: great productivity loss, increased stress levels and ongoing health and environmental complications for everyone. Looking at the situation, it looks like everyone will have to chip in to help solve the problem. Take public transport, car-pool when possible & above all, don't slow down to look at accidents!

The faster we resolve to cooperate amongst ourselves, the lesser time we have to spend stuck in traffic jams!

Motorcycle Safety

Riding a motorcycle safely requires both physical and mental skills. You need physical skills to operate the bike smoothly and to perform evasive maneuvers like swerving and stopping. You need mental skills to safely interact with other traffic and to avoid hazards. But which is more important? How much of riding is physical, and how much is mental?

While the amounts vary depending on the bike, the rider, and the situation, experts believe that riding a motorcycle on the street is 90% mental and 10% physical. Beginning riders probably focus as much on the physical side as the mental side, maybe 50/50, while experienced riders probably focus almost entirely on the mental side: maybe 95/5!

Important articles of clothing:

Helmet-
to protect the head and brain, provide comfort and protect against hearing loss. Designed to spread the force of impact throughout the helmet so that less impact energy reaches the head and brain.

Bodysuit-
use a jacket made of leather or other man-made abrasion resistant material. The jacket should fit snugly and contain extra padding to give protection. Longer sleeves with full shoulders provide full comfort while in a sitting position with your hands on the handle bars.

Pants-
should also be made of leather or other abrasion resistant material and be made to cover the ankles while sitting. Some are made to wear over your regular clothes.

Footwear-
over-the-ankle-boots made specifically for motorcycle riding protect the feet and legs from stones that fly up from the road, burns from exhaust pipes as well as provide good grip on the footrests while riding and on the pavement while stopped. Good boots also provide valuable foot and ankle protection in a crash.

Gloves-
full-fingered gloves protect from the wind, sun, heat and cold. Using reinforced stitching, gloves also protect hands and wrists in case of a crash.

Tips for motorcyclists:

	Visibility
		make yourself as conspicuous as possible
		wear protective clothing that is brightly coloured
		use reflective tape or stickers on your motorbike or helmet

	Intersections
		consider combining hand and light turning signals when you want to make a turn
		flash your brake lights a few times before actually stopping

	Following distance
		never assume that you can be seen; always drive where you are most visible to other motorists
		always maintain a 2 second space between you and the next vehicle; at night or in poor conditions such as rain, increase this to 4-5 seconds

	Passing
		slow down or maintain your speed when being passed by another vehicle

	Road hazards
		be constantly alert for road hazards; Look far ahead (4 to 12 seconds) to allow extra time and space to react. Your best defense against any sort of hazard is to be nowhere near it. This includes changing position, changing lanes, or even changing your route

	Weather hazards
		reduce your speed when driving in undesirable conditions such as rain and fog. Signal your intentions early, brake and accelerate gradually because you could be almost invisible to others

	Lane use
		it is never advisable to ride side-by-side as this may limit your escape route in case of emergency. When traveling with other motorcyclists, it is best to ride in a staggered formation, using both sides of the lane. When riding in a large group, leave gaps in the formation to allow other vehicles to pass or exit the freeway

Tips for motorists:

	Watch aggressively for motorcycles.
		Search the traffic around you constantly and expect to see motorcycles
		Check your blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic
		Double-check traffic at intersections before you turn or pull out
		Motorcycles can easily be hidden in traffic. Look for a helmet above, tires below, or a shadow alongside a vehicle that you can't see around

	Anticipate hazards that may confront the motorcyclist and predict how the motorcyclist may react to the situation.
		Poor road conditions, bad weather, flying debris, oil slicks, and heavy traffic pose high risks for motorcyclists

	Allow a minimum two-second "space cushion" when following a motorcycle.
		Pick out a fixed object ahead of you. When the motorcycle passes the object, count off, "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you haven't passed the same object after two seconds, your following distance meets the two-second minimum
		In poor driving conditions, at higher speeds and at night, use a four or five-second following distance to give the motorcyclist more space

	Watch out when turning left.
		Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look for motorcycles
		Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, it is harder to see them and more difficult to judge their approach speed in traffic

	Share the road.
		Do not drive your car in the same lane as a motorcycle as this is unsafe and illegal
		Treat motorcyclists with the same respect and courtesy you afford to other motorists

	Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.
		Failure to obey and yield the right-of-way can result in the death or serious injury of a motorcyclist
		Stay focused on the driving task. Inattentive driving is a major cause of car-motorcycle crashes
		Use turn signals to indicate your next move. This allows the motorcyclist anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position
		Remove all possible distractions that can interfere with the driver's attention, and remove any objects that may block the driver's view

Making That Police Report For A Motor Accident

There are three stage and processes involved in making a report regarding a traffic accident. Stage 1 is where all parties involved in the accident come forward to make a report together. Stage 2 involves police investigation on the parties and vehicles involved in the accident. Stage 3 is when the investigating documents for the accident is prepared.

Stage 1

Following Peruntukan Seksyen 52 Akta Penangkutan Jalan Raya 1987, every car accident must be reported to the police. All parties involved should go to the police station to lodge a report; either orally or by writing it themselves which the Investigating Officer writes down. The parties involved may also make a complaint through the phone by calling the nearest police station. The details of the accident will be noted down by the Officer-in-Charge. In the report, parties involved are to note down the scenario of the accident on a piece of paper that will be handed over at the police station to be made into an official police report.

	Facts that need to be taken down when making a police report are:
		Date, time and place of accident (landmarks, etc)
		Parties involved (Car registration number, type and colour of vehicle)
		Other cars involved, victims (including deaths) and damaged public property
		Information received from at least 5 witnesses before, during and after the accident (never make assumptions)

The report will be keyed in to the computer, saved and allocated a Police Report Number. A copy of the report is printed out and signed by the complainant. This would be brought with them when they go to see the Investigating Officer.

Stage 2

After the report has officially been lodged, the complainant will be referred to the Inspecting officer in charge of traffic cases. Investigations will proceed by making a voice recording, visitation to the scene of accident, full car check up and photographing the scene and vehicle. According to the law, a classification of the report is then made. The classification of the case depends on the facts at hand and data collected throughout the investigation.

'Refer to Insurance'
For less serious cases such as those that do not involve death or injury or only small damage on the car, the Investigating Officer will note down that further investigation is not necessary. It is thus classified as 'RTI' or Refer to Insurance to which the complainant may make a civil claim.

'Further Investigation' (Siasatan Lanjut)
For serious cases, a thorough investigation will be done and the case will be considered open. After all information and details of the injuries or death is recorded, the guilty party will be charged.

'Compounded convictions' (Mengkompaun kesalahan)
For crime that can be convicted, a summons will be sent to the guilty party involved. All summonses may be paid at any Traffic Counters C.O.P.S- Compound On Line Payment System.

'Attend Court' (Hadir Mahkamah)
If the summons is not paid, the guilty party is to attend court on the date stated in the summons notice.

Note: According to Section 104 Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987, it is the responsibility of every person involved in an accident (whether or not it is serious) to report it to their insurance company so that claims can be made accordingly.

Stage 3

A copy of the police report can be purchased with a small fee not later than 3 days after it has been filed. For other documents such as photographs, sketches and voice recordings, a copy of those can only be obtained depending on the status of investigations and logistics help. Any enquiries may be directed to the police station in the district where the report was filed.

If you are still unsure, it is best to make enquiries at your local police station. You may also refer to the Royal Malaysian Police website for more information.

Guide For P 'probationary' Drivers

You have just passed your driving test and you feel great! Being mobile has a whole new meaning because now you do not have to rely on anyone or any public transport to get around. Bear this in mind though: an individual's biggest risk of having a bad accident is within the first 2 years of that person passing his or her driving test.

In 1987 when there were only 3,674,484 registered vehicles, some 76,882 vehicles were involved in accidents. Of the total ccident cases reported, some 3,320 people died and 18,479 injured. In 2001, those figures went up to 11,302,545 registered cars, with 265,175 vehicles involved in accidents. This resulted in 5,230 deaths and leaving 37,626 people seriously injured.

Statistics suggest that reckless driving, inexperience, panic and just not being prepared for a situation cause most accidents amongst new drivers, with numbers escalating during holiday seasons. There's no guarantee a person will drive for the rest of his or her life without being involved in a single accident, but there are certainly measures on how the risk of being involved in one can be significantly reduced.

Tips For "P" Drivers

		Driving alone for the first time will be strange. If you need to, take someone with you for support.
		Make sure that you display that "P" sticker to alert other drivers on the road that you are a new driver. The "P" sign is there to act as a safeguard- you would be in more trouble if you were involved in an accident without your sticker than if it were on.
		When you have to drive alone, begin on roads that you know well. Venture out further as your confidence builds and your driving skills (e.g. sight, reflexes, driver anticipation) improves.
		Obey all traffic rules and regulations. Not only will this habit keep you safe, it will also ensure the safety of your passengers and other drivers on the road.
		Your quick reactions won't always stop you having an accident. Spotting and responding to problems ahead in plenty of time will.
		Drive in a way that suits your ability and the traffic conditions. It will not impress anybody if you drive fast in the slow lanes and vice versa. Drive at a speed you are comfortable with (in the correct lane) and do not be pressured into playing chase with another car on the road.
		Do not fiddle around with your radio or cassette player while you are driving because this will distract you by taking your eyes off the road. Playing music too loudly is also inadvisable because you will not be able to hear and respond to things around you such as emergency sirens.
		Always remember that you are the driver and you are in control of the vehicle. Do not be pressured by your passengers into doing something you are not confident of or capable of handling.
		Keep your eyes forward, and stay alert of your surroundings without turning your head away from the road ahead. Being alert of what is happening around you will allow you to react faster in the event of the unexpected.
		You might want to consider taking up an advanced driving course to improve on the basics you have learnt. Learn how to control skids, apply the emergency brake or avoid an accident-threatening situation so you do not panic when such a situation arises on the road.
		Leave a lot of space for aggressive drivers. Let them through and don't get involved. Do not be sucked into a drag race or weaving in and out of traffic.
		If you're driving on a slippery or loose surface be very gentle on the foot pedals. The faster you drive, the higher the risk of an accident.
		Keep some tools, extra petrol and bottles of water in your car just in case of a breakdown.
		If you're driving alone, particularly if you're a woman you should : - Plan your journey properly and let somebody know your route. - Carry a pen, paper, maps, first aid kit, flashlight, small change, warm clothing/blanket and a fire extinguisher. - Carry a mobile phone. - Carry a personal attack alarm. - Be sure that your car is in good order and join a breakdown service organization.
		If your vehicle breaks down, don't panic. There are far more friendly people on the roads than those who would wish to harm you.
		Keep to the right lane at all times and indicate whenever turning. Give a tailgater an opportunity to pass you by changing lanes. Keep to your lane.
		Do not assume other drivers will follow traffic rules.
		Do not insist on your right-of-way if another driver is challenging you.
		Be alert to those who are putting on makeup, talking on car phones, reading, eating or otherwise not paying attention to driving.
		Give cars room to merge ahead of you or to join traffic. One or two cars ahead won't make that big of a difference.
		If you are going on a long journey, make sure you have plenty of rest to keep you alert.