We all know that we have speed limit on expressway / highway (except I think a few countries do not have speed limit, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_by_country).  We are told that speed limit is necessary to protect us and to fine people who drive too fast.  The intention is very good.  Just imagine if no speed limit, everyone can drive as fast as they want and we will see a lot less accidents.

We know that it is unlawful to own a gun in malaysia (unless have license i think).  I know that the consequences is very bad if get caught with guns.  And I know government is doing a good job by not allowing gun to be bought or sold like buying clothes.  That makes sense since it is illegal to own one, why are we allowed guns to be bought/sold.

Why it is illegal to drive faster than the speed limit, but government allows car can go faster than speed limit to be sold?  Isn’t that easier to limit what kind of car can be sold or can be driven on our highway than trying to catch people driving over speed limit?  Isn’t that a double standard when comparing this with the gun example I gave earlier.  I know double standard by government is not uncommon, we see it every day.

http://www.swivel.com/workbooks/28053-Malaysia-Traffic-Accident-Statistics

We see in 2006, 12.81 accidents per 1000 people and 1.33 death caused by accident per 1000.  Let’s assume that speeding is the cause of 50% traffic accident death, we have 1.33 / 2 = 0.665 per 1000.  Assuming that malaysia has 27,000,000 people,  that is 17,955 lives per year.   Not to mention how many injuries can be prevented by just a simple regulation change.

I talked to my husband about this idea and he says government receives a lot of tax selling cars.  True.  If government stops doing that, they will lose a lot of money.  But at the same time, they can fire a lot of traffic police because of less accidents.  Haha.  Seriously, why can’t government requires all cars sold in the country to have a device that is preventing the car from going over speed limit.  That way, government can still earns the tax, and can still fire a lot of traffic police, and 17,955 lives will be saved per year.  This is a gain-gain-gain solution.  No?

I think malaysia needs a new transport minister.  Vote for me!

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