This article first appeared on The Star, reported by T Avineshwaran. Image above sourced from The Star.

THE YOUTHFUL curiosity to try new things is part and parcel of growing up, but carried too far it can also lead to deadly consequences.

While the tales of people reversing cars by accident because they selected the wrong gear may seem comedic initially, such incidents can also have tragic consequences.

Earlier this month, an elderly woman died after a car driven by a 13-year-old boy crashed into her house in Tapah.

Lai Kwai Lan, 82, is believed to have been in the living room of the house during the 5.15pm incident at Kampung Baru Ladang Banir on May 6.

In another incident last month, a 65-year-old female motorcyclist died after a car driven by a 16-year-old girl in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, rammed into her.

The girl’s father, who did not want to be named, said he did not know why his daughter, who did not have a licence, decided to drive his car that day. He said his daughter had never driven his car before.

Image above sourced from The Star. Image by Sauful Bahri.

Perak Road Safety Department Director Syahruddin Abdul Hamid said children these days, especially those from Gen Y, are a curious bunch.

“They love to try new things and unlike children during my days. Furthermore, they love adrenaline-pumping activities.

“So, they love to try and explore something new even though they know the consequences could be disastrous,” he said to MetroPerak.

Syahruddin said it is unfair to pin mistakes children make on schools alone because teachers have limited contact with children.

The responsibility always falls on the parents and education needs to start from home.

“Parents should teach their children about the need to comply with rules and regulations especially when it comes to road safety.”

He said, due to his job as the director of the Road Safety Department, he oversees many events and activities focused on road safety for children.

Image above sourced from The Star. A file image of a child sitting in the driver’s seat. Malaysian’s are said to generally be lackadaisical when it comes to road safety issues.

Last year alone, there were more than 15 events conducted by the Perak Road Safety Department for school children.

“We are doing this to inform and educate school children on the do’s and don’ts of road safety.

“We also invited former motorcycle racer Shahrol Yuzy to become a road safety ambassador for Perak and he gave one-hour talks on road safety issues and tips on riding at several schools

“State Executive Councillor Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin has also asked agencies involved in promoting road safety to focus on school children and pre-school children.

“He believes by educating the young, we can spread the message of road safety to all Malaysians.

Syahruddin also said that Zainol places great importance on informal education in schools on road safety especially.

The Road Safety Department (JKJR) in collaboration with Education Ministry introduced a subject called Pendidikan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (Road Safety Education) in 2007 for students in Standard 1 up to Form 3.

Image above sourced from The Star. Sundramoorthy says, in the United States, driver education courses are offered as part of extra co-curricular activity during secondary school.

This year, the department and the ministry are in the process of improving the syllabus and hope to also introduce the subject to pre-schoolers.

“Teachers should be given more tools to educate our children with whatever means possible as long it is not against the law since most of our children are spoilt.

“They will have to be taught that in life, there are rules and regulations that need to be followed. There are no two ways about it,” he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Criminologist Associate Professor Dr P. Sundramoorthy said one of the causes of of unlicenced youths getting involved in road accidents is poor parenting.

He said parents and legal guardians are responsible for the behaviour of their children, and in some countries, parents can be charged for negligence if a child is involved in an accident.

“For the boy in the Tapah incident, the police must investigate thoroughly. Charge him for vehicular manslaughter. Since he is a juvenile, if found guilty, send him to the Henry Gurney correctional school.

“Once he reaches 18, if necessary, transfer him to prison. Just because he is 13, we should not exempt him from the consequence of his deadly actions.”

Sundramoorthy added that in the United States, driver education courses are offered as part of extra co-curricular activity during secondary school.

“By the time students finish school, they have obtained their licence legitimately through proper driver education courses and training.

“Road safety education and values are instilled from a very young age. This is crucial.

“Malaysia needs to introduce a similar concept for driver safety education,” he said.

Perak Traffic Police Chief Supt Wan Jamil Wan Chik said he has a warning for all youths who plan to ride or drive without a licence.

“First of all, without a license, you can’t drive or ride. It is common sense. If you still want to do so, do it at your own risk because when the authorities catch you, you’ll bear the consequences.

“If you break the law, action will be taken. It is as simple as that,” he said when asked about the cases.