SPEECH BY
YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA HAMZAH PAHLAWAN
DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ABDULLAH
BIN BEGAWAN MUDIM DATO PADUKA HAJI BAKAR
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
WORLD TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY 2013
(WTISD 2013)
SATURDAY, 8 JAMADILAKHIR 1434 / 18 MAY 2013
TIME : 9am
AT:
RIZQUN INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Alhamdullilahi
Rabbil `Alameen Wasaalatu Wassalaamu `Ala Asyrafil Ambiae Walmursaleen,
Saidina Muhammadin Wa'alaa Aalihiee Wasahbihee Ajama'een.
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Yahkup bin Menudin, Chief Executive, AITI as Chairman of the Organising Committee
Yang
Mulia Awang Abdul Mutalib Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka
Haji Mohamad Yusof, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, and
Chairman of the Brunei National Road Safety Council.
Yang
Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hasrin
bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu, Commissioner of Police, as Deputy Chairman
I of the Brunei National Road Safety Council
Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Yang Mulia Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Bahrin bin Mohd. Noor, Deputy Commissioner of Police,
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Idris bin Haji Mohd Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications,
Yang Mulia Deputy Permanent Secretaries
AITI
Members of Authority, Directors and Head of Departments, Invited Forum
Speakers, Members of Brunei National Road Safety Council, Senior
Management and Officers, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam Sejahtera
- Alhamdulillah,
it gives me great pleasure to be here today at the launching of the
World Telecommunications and Information Society Day(WTISD) 2013.My
heartiest congratulations to AITI on this initiative.
- This
year's theme 'ICTs and improving road safety', brings together a very
meaningful collaboration between the organisation committee AITI and the
Brunei National Road Safety Council in planning the programs and
initiatives to be implemented. I am delighted to see AITI taking this
collaborative approach as issues of ICT usage and road safety are
certainly becoming our national concern both either good or bad.
- Without
a doubt, ICT continues to influence and shape our daily routine
lifestyle.Just look at our dependency on mobile phones, our need for the
Internet to seek for information and to transact. In addition, ICT has
also been proven to make equipments easier to use with its expanding
functionalities and more interactive features.
- The
choice of the theme by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
is certainly very accurate in capturing the trend and inclination of
users nowadays. The theme shows the potential applications of ICT in
improving road safety while also capturing the intricate connection
between the two.
- Road traffic accident
is a global problem that requires multi stakeholders approach to manage
and mitigate its effect. According to the Global Status Report on Road
Safety 2013 published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), 88
countries have managed to reduce number of deaths from road accident.
Despite their respective efforts, 1.24 million lives globally are
estimated to have been lost to road accidents every year. This shows
that efforts need to be stepped up in order to reduce road accidents.
WHO further estimates that by the year 2020,deaths from road accidents
will be the third major cause of deaths after heart disease and major
depression.
- Inattention while driving has been identified as one
of the causes of road accidents. According to the US Department of
Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety, the leading
factor in 80% crashes and 65% near-crashes is driver inatttention within
three seconds before the event. The study also revealed that:-
- Reaching for a moving object while driving increases the risk of a crash or near-crash by 9 times;
- Looking at an external object while driving by 3.7 times; and
- Reading while driving by 3 times. [1]
- These
behavioral patterns are comparable to that of using mobile phones while
driving, especially to composing SMS, WhatsApp messages and others.
This is also justified by Monash University's Accident Research Centre
in Australia, which stated that when texting, drivers spend up to 400%
more time with their eyes off the road than they do, when not texting[2]. Simply said, texting will automatically distract the driver more compared to other non-driving activities.
- From
these factual findings, I believe we can assess the impact and risks of
using mobile phone while driving. Unfortunately, Brunei drivers are no
exception to this behavior. A survey conducted by Land Transport
Department at several major roads in Bandar Seri Begawan, revealed
within 30 minutes, 2.6% (42 out of 1870 vehicles observed) drivers were
found to have used their mobile phones while driving without using any
hands free devices. This survey was conducted back in 2007.
- A
study by the Centre for Road Safety Studies in 2011 on 4 major highways
in Brunei Darussalam showed that up to 11% of drivers use their mobile
phone while driving at high speed. At a road junction, the percentage is
a lot higher. It has been observed that at a road junction, definitely 2
or 3 out of 10 drivers would either fiddle or use their mobile phones
while driving.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
- For
the past 5 years (2007 – 2011), the overall total of road accidents in
Brunei Darussalam has risen by an average 7% per year.According to
statistics from Ministry of Health, in 2011, deaths caused by road
accidents were the seventh highest causes of death in Brunei Darussalam
after chronic diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, diabetes and
hypertension[3].
- Therefore,
it is our responsibility to reduce the risk of road accidents.Among
others is through smart usage of technologies.In this regard, various
initiatives have been taken by the stakeholders to leverage on ICT in
increasing road safety.These initiatives are in line with
the "Psychological & Technological" approach as being entrusted in
the Blueprint of Brunei Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.This
approach fully supports the usage of technology in enhancing road
safety.
- In the transportation sector, ICT has played a
significant role in improving the quality of transportation which leads
to a systematic, safe, smart and efficient transportation system.In this
regard, I am very fond of a safe transport system which echoes on
"Safer Vehicles", "Safer Roads", "Safer Drivers" and "Safer People".
This holistic approach will reduce road accidents and most importantly,
reduce fatality and degree of severity in a road crash event.
- Smart
technologies fitted in vehicles such as In-Vehicle Management Systems
(IVMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Braking Systems, Antilock
Braking Systems (ABS) and airbag have proven to assist drivers and
enhance the safety level of the vehicles. Car manufacturer, such as Ford
Motors, has also conducted specific researches in reducing driver's distraction[4]. Among
the outcomes of the researches are the usage of hands-free and voice
activated system to reduce driver's distraction and eventually minimize
the risk of accidents. These are just few examples of road safety
initiatives towards Safer Vehicles.
- Having Safer Roads
is another important factor in improving road safety. The installation
of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) such as use of CCTV
and smart sensor technologies can be utilised to manage and monitor
traffic flows in a smarter way. With Intelligent Transportation System
(ITS) that leverages on ICT, information can be retrieved easily and
will assist users in planning their routes efficiently, hence reducing
the risk of accident.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
- Brunei
Darussalam has embarked on the Demerit Points System project which has
been on trial since May 2012. Demerit Points System is one of the road
safety initiatives and programmes of the Brunei National Road Safety
Council. The implementation of the Demerit Points System has been proven
in countries such as Singapore and Australia, to have significantly
contributed to Safer Drivers and decrease road fatality rate.
- Following
the trial of the Demerit Points System, we have seen a slight drop in
total number of accidents in 2012 when compared to 2011.The number of
deaths has also significantly reduced from 47 in 2011 to 28 in 2012.We
believe that the Demerit Points System has contributed to this drop.
With the use of ICT in some part of the systems, the enforcement using
CCTV and the use of other technologies will make the implementation of
the system more effective in reducing road traffic accidents further.
Inshaa Allah, this ICT based initiative in place, we certainly hope to
see some positive changes to driver's behavior towards a more
responsible and disciplined manner. The main objective of the system is
not to penalize, but rather to educate the drivers.
- In
this regard, I wish to reiterate the importance of our awareness as
users of ICT and as road users to take wise consideration and make smart
decisions. This includes prioritizing safety for oneself and be
considerate of other road users as well. Such would also mean making
smart choices such as only using the mobile phone after residing your
car at the roadside and avoiding composing SMS, WhatsApp and others
while driving. These are simple choices and actions that could save your
life and the lives of others.
- As such, I hope with the launching of the video "Don't text while you drive",
this will increase our awareness on the implications of such
unnecessary behavior.I also sincerely hope that we can make full use of
the information and knowledge shared with us by the panel of experts
invited today.
- I wish to share that even with the best
infrastructure and best safety features a vehicle could have, road
safety cannot be achieved if all road users are less attentive to their
driving. Lack of awareness on the importance of road safety, mutual
consideration and respect of other road users as well as not abiding to
road traffic rules and regulations will contribute to occurrences of
road accidents.
- On this note, I would like to take
this opportunity once again to congratulate AITI for today's initiative.
Your commitment in raising awareness among ICT users and road users are
very much appreciated. Such commitment would not have been successful
without the cooperation received from the Brunei National Road Safety
Council and other stakeholders. It is very much hoped that with the
initiative launched today, we will be able to contribute towards the
shaping of smart ICT users and smart road users in Brunei Darussalam.
Sekian, Wabillahi Taufik Wal Hidayah Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
[1] Decreasing Driver's Distraction, ITU-T Technology Watch Report, 2010
[2] Decreasing Driver's Distraction, ITU-T Technology Watch Report, 2010
[3] Health Information Booklet 2011, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam.
[4]www.media.ford.com
