Nation

Accident highlights safety concerns

SERDANG: An accident on Wednesday involving 12 kids travelling home from school in an old van that crashed into a road divider has renewed focus on safeguarding the safety of schoolchildren when going to and from classes in private vehicles.

MIC vice-president Senator Datuk T. Mohan, who visited the victims and their families at the Serdang Hospital on Wednesday, told the New Straits Times he was worried about private vehicles being used to transport schoolchildren.

"Vehicles such as vans that are only allowed to carry eight to 10 occupants are sometimes ferrying up to 15-20 passengers instead," he claimed.

"This is because the drivers need to ferry as many passengers as they can just to make ends meet, as many of them cannot charge more as they fear that the parents will seek other cheaper means of transport for their school-going children.

"This, along with the safety of the children, are issues that must be addressed by the relevant authorities. Another matter of concern is the roadworthiness of the vehicles, and quite a few of these vehicles are not only old but do not seem roadworthy.

"Luckily there was no loss of life or serious injury to the victims who were all primary schoolchildren," he said.

On Wednesday, the 12 pupils from SJKT Serdang were injured when the van they were travelling in rammed into the road divider at Km6.7 of the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE).

Two of the children have been warded at the Serdang Hospital, another four are under observation while the remaining six were given outpatient treatment.

The schoolchildren suffered multiple injuries, while the 35-year-old van driver suffered a broken leg.

A parent who only wished to be known as Jeya, whose child also goes to SJKT Serdang, said that he was both shocked and sad upon learning about the accident.

He was not surprised that it happened.

"These vans that transport children are usually more than 10 years old and do not look well maintained.

"Another matter of concern is whether these vans have the necessary insurance coverage, required licensing and validation to be used as transport vehicles.

"In the event of a mishap or accident, who covers the medical cost and ensuing bills? Do bear in mind that many parents who engage with such means of transportation are from the B40 group or lower and are bogged down by financial constraints.

"The transportation charges are between RM200 and RM250 a month for one child which is quite high considering the quality of transport," said Jeya.

He added that because of this, his family members take turns to send and pick up the children from school but he pointed out that not everyone can do so on a daily basis.

Former Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) board member and road safety activist, Shahrim Tamrin agreed that this issue needed immediate attention.

"There are always concerns with regards to a van transporting schoolchildren. Sadly, more often than not, many of such vans are illegal or converted from former factory transports."

Shahrim also questioned whether the relevant authorities conducted checks and inspections on a regular basis on the school vans and the operators.

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