It's painful to read about the deaths incurred by road accidents. Yes, it's painful to read about deaths in any form. But touching specifically on road fatalities: it's upsetting enough that there are so many of us out there who are careless drivers. More tragic when the victim is so careful and yet there's no way that they could avoid an accident because of other errant drivers on the road. What a waste of lives.
I remember once, in Kuching, my friend's cousin died on the spot when another car slammed into hers. That car, flew over a 4-feet divider, from the opposite direction, right into the front screen of the young girls' car. See, even when you're NOT on the same side of the road, even when you're careful, there's just no telling what can happen.
Even more tragic I feel when dozens of lives depend on just one person to steer them to their destination SAFELY. Yes let's talk about bus fatalities: after so many tragic accidents, and the numerous "Action" statements declared, we still have these careless, reckless, bus drivers behind the wheels.
Our condolences and prayers go to the families of the late Lee Nian Ning (1987-2008), Mohd Zailani (1985-2008), Pan Poon Eng (1988-2008). All three tragically lost their lives in the Slim River Bus Crash that happened on 25th January 2008. They were just kids. GONE now, because they entrusted their lives in the hands of someone that they don't know, to bring them safely to their destination. In the hands of one man, who happened to have 13 outstanding summonses---seven of it for speeding, five for overtaking, and one for not using an overhead bridge.
The STAR Online reported on 26th January, that Slim River deputy OCPD Supt Adzhar Othman said, "At this point, we cannot yet ascertain the cause of the accident, whether or not it is due to human or technical error." The accident occured during a downpour, at KM382 of the highway between Slim River and Behrang. Technical error? I really doubt it.
I received an email from a friend of mine who knew Lee Nian Ning personally. This is what she said in her email dated 28th Jan:
"hello, i just got back from penang today. hence the lack of replies over the weekend. i was up there to attend my friend's wake. if you read the newspapers recently, she was one of those who died in the bus accident at slim river. heck. she was only 20. i knew her way back in secondary school. she was my junior by one year and we spent a lot of time together during guiding. it was horrible at her wake. her parents were crying. especially her mum. her mum blames herself because my friend was suppose to take an earlier bus to kl but delayed it because she had to help her mum out with something. she was their oldest child and only daughter. she has a younger brother whose studying in kl. she was on he way to kl that fateful day to pay him a visit. the poor boy must have been devastated. looking at her coffin was almost surreal. a couple of friends and i drove up on saturday and reached penang in time for her wake. it realy was so hard being there."
It is sad when we start blaming ourselves for such losses. But that's the human condition. All the "IF" will surface, the regrets, the anguish. People blame themselves---fathers, mothers, children, friends---will blame themselves for such losses; such tragedy.
Unfortunate isn't it when only loved ones carry the blame. If only those who sit on the pedestal of power, the ones in the circle of authority, the hands that can enforce a law, the SOULS that could have done the right thing, care to share the blame. "IF" only.
But WE don't have to wait for any admission. We don't want to just talk and take no action. So if you want to do your bit, please sign the petition (go to the link below) to have safer bus rides now!
Because "NEXT TIME, IT COULD BE YOU OR ME"
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