James Kon
Some 2,131 traffic accidents were recorded in 2022 with 359 cases causing injuries and 19 with fatalities taking away 20 lives.
Statistics showed the highest demographic group involved in road incidents with casualties is male aged 18 to 38.
Some 79 per cent of accidents causing deaths were due to negligence and driver errors such as driving over speed limit, not following traffic rules and driving under the influence. Eleven per cent of accidents were caused by bad vehicle conditions such as faulty brakes and steerings while five per cent were due to poor road conditions and five per cent due to other factors.
Some 62.5 per cent of road accident fatalities were due to not using seatbelts.
These figures from last year were shared by the National Road Safety Council (MKKJR) in a statement yesterday.
Other statistics included 16,402 traffic offences recorded from 1,568 operations conducted by Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF).
Some 1,202 offences were also recorded during 247 operations by the Land Transport Department (JPD).
Five of the top 10 offences recorded by the RBPF were 2,657 cases of using sun shades obstructing view, 2,247 for illegal parking, 1,925 for unauthorised modification, 1,149 for not using seatbelts and 810 for having expired driving licences.
MKKJR is working with government agencies, the private sector and associations to organise road safety programmes.
Among the initiatives are awareness programmes to share traffic incident statistics and driving ethics through mass media, government facilities and websites as well as Friday sermons.
MKKJR also visited road accident hotspots, particularly those with fatalities as well as mosques to make road safety improvements. The council also took actions such as road repairs and infrastructure improvements based on information gathered from the public during roadshows organised by the Information Department.
Among the works carried out with the Public Works Department (JKR) were construction of Lugu flyover, closure of U-turns, upgrading a steel bridge to concrete, resurfacing Jalan Kumbang Pasang and Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, replacing road signs, repainting roads and installations of signboards.
The public with information on traffic offences can contact Darussalam Line 123 or WhatsApp to 8333123.
