MIRI: Motorists have been reminded to stay vigilant and comply with traffic regulations throughout the Chinese New Year season to reduce the risk of accidents in light of an expected increase in vehicles on the road.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said traffic congestion typically worsens during festive seasons as many people return to their hometowns or take advantage of public holidays, thereby increasing the likelihood of road accidents.
“Every festive season, we see a rise in the number of vehicles and road users. This situation indirectly increases the risk of accidents if users are not disciplined and fail to obey traffic rules,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Chinese New Year 2026 Road Safety Campaign for the Miri Division in Permyjaya here today.
Lee, who is Senadin assemblyman, stressed that road safety must be given priority by all parties.
He said a total of 21,747 road accidents were recorded from January to December 2025 in the state, involving 418 fatalities, 189 serious injury cases and 300 minor injury cases.
In Miri, a total of 3,442 road accidents were recorded last year, with the majority involving vehicle damage, amounting to 3,355 cases.
“Out of that total, 47 cases involved fatalities, 10 cases resulted in serious injuries and 30 cases involved minor injuries. Although most accidents involved only vehicle damage, every recorded figure carries serious implications for human safety,” he said.
According to him, a comparison between 2024 and 2025 showed that Miri recorded a decline in several accident categories following the continuous implementation of road safety awareness campaigns.
“Cases involving vehicle damage decreased from 3,410 in 2024 to 3,355 in 2025, a reduction of 55 cases or 1.6 per cent. Minor injury cases also declined from 34 to 30, while serious injury cases remained at 10 for both years.
“Fatal accidents recorded a significant decrease, dropping from 62 cases in 2024 to 47 cases in 2025, a reduction of 24.2 per cent. The number of fatalities also fell from 69 to 50, representing a 27.5 per cent reduction,” he explained.
Lee said that despite the downward trend, the government’s target remains which is to achieve zero fatalities from road accidents.
In this regard, he stressed that road safety is not solely the responsibility of the authorities but requires the cooperation of all parties, including community leaders, local communities and motorists themselves.
“What matters most is the attitude of drivers. They must comply with speed limits and traffic regulations, especially along the Pan Borneo Highway. Avoid using mobile phones while driving, and ensure vehicles are in good condition by conducting regular checks on tyres, braking systems and lights, particularly before long journeys,” he said.
He also reminded motorists to wear seat belts, including passengers seated at the rear, to take breaks if feeling drowsy, comply with road signs and traffic signals, and urged the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that road signage remains clear, visible and well-lit for the safety of all.
