Perodua's MD (left) exchanging MoU documents with JKJR Director-General Datuk Suret Singh (right) in the presence of the Transport Minister

Perodua today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) to undertake a community-based program for automotive safety. The MoU relates to the development of a ‘smart partnership’ between the government agency and Perodua to implement and promote road safety programs as well as collaborate in researching, developing and promoting vehicle, road an user safety in the country.

Both parties have also agreed to provide assistance by exchanging personnel and technical information pertaining to road safety issues. The personnel will be trained to ensure familiarity with road safety matters, especially in programs which involve dialogues, talks and on-site training.

“Ultimately, no matter how safe we try to make our cars or how many billions the government spends on building roads that are safer, it is up to the individual driver to choose and decide how he or she behaves on the road and it is with this great hope that we at Perodua, together with the JKJR and Transport Ministry, can make Malaysian roads a safer place for all,” said Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz bin Syed Abu Bakar, MD of Perodua.

Some 431,000 Peroduas do not have rear seatbelts and Perodua has agreed on the installation of the seatbelts, an exercise expected to cost RM41.7 million

With regard to the rear seatbelt campaign, the Transport Minister (who was present to witness the signing of the MoU) said that observations on highways revealed that 17% of rear passengers are now belting up, compared to 1% prior to the commencement of the ‘advocacy period’ which began on June 1 2008. He reiterated that the advocacy period will run until the end of this year, during which time no summons will be issued for not belting up but motorists and their passengers will be advised and informed about the law.

The minister also mentioned that Perodua has agreed on the retro-fitting of rear seatbelts for some 431,262 units of their cars, an exercise which will cost RM41.7 million. Commenting on the statement, the Perodua MD said that he expects 90% of owners of the cars concerned would come for fitment over a 3-year period. However, he added, there may be some cases where installation is not recommended due to the absence of a bracket for the seatbelt anchorage.

“We are still discussing this matter with the JPJ and perhaps there will be some sort of identification sticker issued to owners of such cars to make the task of enforcement officers easier. But full details will be announced at a later date when we have everything properly sorted out,” said Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz.

At the same event, Perodua also handed over a Myvi to the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) which has been equipped with various devices to conduct research into driving patterns. The various sensors and recorders in the car will capture data on the speed profile, braking profile, steering wheel angle, gear selection, signal indicator usage, lane selection, lane deviation and vehicle-vehicle distance. From this data, it will be possible to study five driving aspects: handling skills, vehicle positioning, anticipation and risk assessment, driving habits and safe practices.

The MIROS Myvi which has sensors and recorders for acquiring data on driving behaviour

Related articles: Our report on MIROS | The 'elephant' in your back seat