KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has proposed that the autonomous driving system be installed in all vehicles in the country by 2030 to minimise fatal accidents.
Its senior researcher, Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, said installing the system in all vehicles was expected to help drivers to be more careful on the road.
"Based on a study conducted, almost 80% of accidents that occur in the country are caused by the driver's negligence, including not obeying the speed limit, nodding off while driving, being inconsiderate and being drunk,” he told reporters after participating as a dialogue session panelist on the role of trucks and buses in contributing towards safe driving on the road today.
He said previously various parties had contributed towards raising awareness on safe driving but numerous external factors continued to be blamed for road accident cases.
"The increased number of vehicles, rapid development and technology are also among the causes that can result in accidents and deaths,” he said.
In efforts to address the issue, Khairil Anwar said technology such as the autonomous driving system could assist drivers when they were tired or negligent and, thus, prevented accidents.
He said this technology was now available in Sweden and Germany and enabled the vehicle to be driven automatically when the driver lost focus besides assisting in giving signals in the event of traffic violation.
He said such technological advances were welcomed, and that they should be used to minimise human weaknesses.
