Motor Vehicle Accident.. in 2011 from Local Papers

Another 3 lives lost in horrific accident (From Borneo Bulletin dated Monday December 19th,2011)

By James Kon & Siti Hajar

The number of road fatalities has increased yet again following a tragic accident that took place an hour-and-a-half past midnight yesterday, claiming the lives of three people - two passengers of a saloon vehicle and a motorcyclist.

Less than 24 hours prior to this incident, a 20-year-old male succumbed to multiple injuries in another accident that occurred at 2.24am on Saturday.

According the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), the deceased were passengers of a saloon car - a 19-year-old male youth and a 31-year-old woman - who were part of a group of four individuals travelling along a bridge within the vicinity of Ban 6 in Kampong Kilanas on their way to Jerudong from Limau Manis. It was during this commute that their vehicle veered off the road into oncoming traffic and struck a 33-year-old motorcyclist who was killed upon impact.

It is believed that the driver of the vehicle, who at press time was fighting for his life at RIPAS Hospital, was driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the police.

Shortly after, the vehicle slammed into a stationary vehicle at a junction. Fortunately, the driver of the vehicle parked at the junction escaped with only minor injuries.

The last nine days has seen the deaths of five individuals, three of whom were youths between the ages of 18 and 20, at three separate locations, including the Rimba and Hassanal Bolkiah highways. Between January and October 2011, of the 37 deaths recorded then, almost 50 per cent of them were youths between the ages of 18 and 28.

With the latest fatalities, Brunei's road deaths for 2011 has jumped to 45, making it the second highest number of road-related deaths in recent memory. In 2007, 56 people died as a result of road-related accidents.

In the Sunday Bulletin news report, "RBPF Calls On Driving Schools To Help Curb Road Accident", which was published yesterday, the RBPF reminded the public to be on alert when driving especially during heavy rain and to strictly obey the country's traffic acts and laws.

What was also highlighted by the RBPF was the need for driving schools to play a more in-depth role in educating its students of not just the standard modules that are taught but also to teach would-be drivers the importance of driving carefully, being courteous to other road users and be patient.

"It should be reminded that preserving road safety should not just be concentrated on related agencies, but it should also become a social responsibility of all road users," the RBPF had highlighted.

Human error has been marked as the main cause of road accidents, while driving during bad weather such as heavy rain has also been considered a major contributor to this growing problem.

Fines and imprisonment are typical penalties for road violators and these range from $1,000 to $20,000, and a jail term ranging from six months to three years, depending on the severity of the crimes committed.

According to the RBPF, those found guilty of causing death as a result of driving under Chapter 27 (1), Road Traffic Act (RTA) Paragraph 68 would be fined $20,000, jailed for seven years, and suspended from driving for a period of three years. Meanwhile, those found guilty of driving whilst intoxicated or under the influence of drugs would be fined $10,000, jailed for two years, and barred from driving for three years under Chapter 26 (1) of the RTA Paragraph 26.

Those found guilty of dangerous driving will be fined $10,000, jailed for two years and suspended from driving for three years under Chapter 28 (1) of the RTA Chapter 26, whereas those who are found guilty of reckless or inconsiderate driving would be fined $5,000 and jailed for a year under Chapter 29 (1) of the RTA Paragraph 68.

Those found guilty of using a mobile phone whilst driving could be slapped with a $1,000 fine and/or jailed for six months. Repeat offenders will be fined $2,000 and/or jailed for a year under Chapter 29A (1) of the RTA Paragraph 68.