As of June 1, 2008, it is an offence if the rear (back) passengers do not wear their safety belts. From September 1, 2008 onwards, the Malaysian authorities will impose a fine for those who do not buckle up (both passengers and driver). What are you waiting for, start buckling up NOW!

Recently when I was in the United States, I noticed a sign with a very catchy phrase. It says 'Click it or ticket'. Whenever I am in a car, I'm reminded of this phrase 'Click it or ticket'. Hence this spurred me to launch this campaign amongst people I'm in contact with. Although there is a grace period of 3 months before the authorities starts to give you a 'ticket' or 'fine', don't have that typical 'tidak apa' attitude. Start getting into the habit of putting on your safety belts today, not only when you are sitting in the front but also at the rear (back).

Why buckle up at the back too?

In a typical road crash, three types of collisions occur in a short span of time before calm and silence returns to the scene:

  • First - The collision between the car and another object, such as another vehicle, a wall or a tree. Modern cars are engineered with crumple zones which progressively dissipate the tremendous kinetic energy of a moving car in a crash. Still there is a limit to how much energy the crumple zones can absorb.
  • Second - As Newton's law dictates, a body in motion will ... continue to move at a constant velocity, unless an outside force acts upon it. The seatbelt is the most important safety device to protect a vehicle's occupants againts such impact. An unbelted backseat passenger risks not only injury hitting parts but poses an extra menace to those in the front seats by being a projectile. According to Swedish traffic safety researchers, in crashes, the dynamic force of the backseat occupant being flung forward can be as high as three tonnes, or equal to the weight of an adult elephant. So, back seat passengers, buckle up to safe your life and the lifes of those in front of you.
  • Third - Is the collision that happens within the human body, that is, between the internal organs and bones - the lungs impacting the rib cage or the brain impacting the inside of the skull, for example.

What statistics says

The Royal Malaysian Police statistics recorded 341,252 road accidents in a year, an average of 960 a day. Of these, 350 deaths were related to unbelted rear passengers. The death toll just from not wearing rear seat belts is equal to 43% of the US combat fatalities! (US Military reports an average of over 800 lives lost each year)

Why buckle up now?

Accidents can happen at anytime and anywhere. Don't regret it. Be safe, buckle up today. Remember it is just not 'Click it or Ticket', we want to 'Arrive Alive'.

Have a safe journey...remember to put on your safety belts (front & rear)

 

Note: Parts of the article contents, logos and songs are all extracted from the websites of various organisations in the United States and Malaysia. The usage of these materials are not intended for profit, it is strictly used to get the message accross to people to get into the habit of wearing safety belts.
This is a community service project.