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KUALA LUMPUR: Road users have been reminded to plan their travel before returning to their villages and hometowns for Raya to prevent the roads from becoming "a sea of unmarked graves".

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, amidst the excitement of celebrating Hari Raya with their families and friends back home, they must be prepared physically and mentally as a little loss of concentration could cause tragedy.

"I am personally concerned and sad over cases of fatal road accidents and the suffering of others involved in these accidents.

"When we talk about road safety, it's always related to road accidents and it's a tragedy even if there's only one accident. I believe road accidents can be reduced if the drivers pay more attention to safety aspects and practise courteous driving," he said in his video-recorded special message delivered at the National Defence University of Malaysia, here, Tuesday.

The launching of the special programme was by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Present with some 1,000 undergraduates was the university's vice-chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Allatif Mohd Noor.

Najib, seen in a pink baju Melayu in the video, reminded drivers to be always courteous and avoid "racing" on the roads.

"Avoid the urge to speed and control your behaviour on the roads because a split second of carelessness can cause a lifetime of misery," he advised.

To reduce road accidents during the festive seasons, he said the Government last year spent RM15.6mil on works to improve the conditions at 37 accident hot spots along the federal roads, which recorded 395 accidents.

Read the full article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Do not turn the roads into a sea of unmarked graves.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made this appeal to motorists returning home in the festive season via a four-minute video.

“I am concerned that in one's eagerness to rush home to celebrate Hari Raya with family and friends, a lapse of concentration would result in a tragedy.

“A split second of carelessness could lead to a lifetime of misery,” he said.

To Najib, accidents could be reduced if motorists paid heed to road safety and were conscientious while driving.

He noted that the long Hari Raya break would see a larger volume of vehicles on the road, and as such, the risk of accidents would increase.

Najib urged motorists to make proper plans for their journey and ensure they are physically and mentally fit for the trip.

“Control the urge to speed and be conscientious while behind the wheel to prevent our roads from becoming a sea of unmarked graves,” he said.

To reduce road accidents, Najib said the Government had spent RM15.6mil last year on remedial work on 37 black spots identified along federal roads.

“A total of 395 accidents were recorded at the black spots in 2009.

“Following remedial work, no accidents happened at the locations as of June this year,” he added.

Earlier, Najib said he was personally concerned over the rise in the number of road accidents during the festive period.

Najib's personal message was delivered by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to 1,800 undergraduates of the National Defence University of Malaysia who were travelling home yesterday for the coming holiday.

Ismail Sabri said some 200,000 Hari Raya cards from Najib would be distributed to motorists.

Read the full article:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?fi ... sec=nation