KUANTAN: A new Road Safety Education (PKJR) module in Bahasa Malaysia complete with graphics will be introduced at all primary schools in 2019.
Road Safety Department (JKJR) director-general Datuk Rosli Isa said currently there were 24 primary schools nationwide that had been chosen to undergo the pilot project.
He said the new module, which also comes with explanations on traffic lights and safety guidelines, would be inserted in the Bahasa Malaysia subject for two study hours each week.
"It involves Standard One to Standard Six pupils. As early preparation, we will also train Bahasa Malaysia teachers to teach the module beginning next year," he said at the sidelines of a Special JKJR Advocacy Programme here today.
Rosli said the new module would also be expanded to secondary schools in 2020 to ensure raised awareness on road safety.
"Many apply for (driving) licence after completing Form Five. Every year it is estimated that around 500,000 new licence holders are registered while 1.2 million new cars are registered annually.
"This number is constantly increasing and the level of public awareness over (road) safety aspects need to be increased, as it is estimated that every year sees 10,000 people suffering permanent disability and around 7,000 people killed in road accidents," he said.
Rosli said the module was part of efforts by JKJR to boost public awareneness as 80 per cent of accidents were caused by negligence of road users.
"Among the avoidable habits that contribute to this problem are running the red light, driving (car) or riding (motorcycle) in a dangerous manner, and not putting enough emphasis on safety aspects while driving.
"In fact, there are motorcycle riders who do not wear helmets that comply with appropriate standards, as helmets should be replaced every five years after use because they (helmets) are no longer considered safe (for use)," he said.
Also present were state JKJR director Nur Ayuni Mahammad Zin, state Road Transport Department (RTD) director Datuk Mark Ujin, and district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Aziz Salleh.