MAY 8 ― It was a road accident that drew much controversy and concern.

A young couple and their toddler were killed in a road accident on the way back from a wedding dinner.

Among so many accidents we see each day, why has this particular one drawn so much attention?

According to witnesses and toll plaza video recording, six cars were seen racing on this urban expressway when the tragic incident took place. Two speeding vehicles allegedly hit the 4WD manned by the victim. Judging from the level of destruction of the 4WD, it is not difficult to imagine the magnitude of the collision impact.

The husband was thrown out of the car and was killed on the spot. The wife was still conscious and onlookers could hear her calling out to her child. Unfortunately they were dead by the time they reached the hospital.

Three precious lives of an otherwise happy family were obliterated just that, leaving behind two other young mourning children in total loss.

The tragedy could have been avoided. All that it takes is for the person sitting behind the wheel to spare a little thought for other fellow road users. If they could control the force applied to their accelerators, and their minds a little more sober, everyone should be able to reach their homes safely and happily.

But right at that moment, when the adrenaline inside the body of that racing car ran high, he excitedly stepped hard on his pedal and fast turned his steering wheel.

The public highway was turned into a private racing course for these people. It was a matter of time that death would beckon there, and the only thing unknown was who would become the innocent victims and when.

It was Fairuz Nizam Husain's family that perished on that highway that night. Who could be the next to fall victim to their reckless and dangerous act?

It has unfortunately become something quite common for Malaysian drivers to overlook the safety and lives of themselves and other road users, and that is also the principal reason for Malaysia to top the list of countries with the highest road fatality rates.

When will these people come to realise that their cars, motorcycles and trucks are but just a form of transportation and not a tool to satisfy their unappeasable excitement?

And when will these people come to realise that our roads are shared but not private properties, and that they need to respect the safety and right of other road users as well.

This is fundamental road moral but why when many motorists in other countries are well aware of and firmly abide by this, we in Malaysia seem to know so little of it?

Perhaps we lack road safety education or because we are emboldened by lax enforcement. Or perhaps many of us just simply don't care at all.

After the tragedy, the automobile club denied that its members were engaged in road racing at that time. The denial came a little to rushy and subjective.

Automobile clubs have been a fad nowadays. Owners of a particular automobile brand or make group together to form a specific social club.

I myself used to be the member of one such club. The objectives of these clubs are basically to facilitate exchange of information among the members, allowing them to get to better understand their vehicles' performance as well as maintenance knowhow.

Sharing of information aside, members also compare among themselves their driving skills, showing off their skills at the wheel at a speed of 200kph, some even coming together for illegal racing activities.

Other members seem to be cheering along, few would offer a word of advice over safety.

A grouping of people putting speed over safety is behind the fact why road accidents happen so frequently in our country.

What we can do is to keep reminding ourselves and the drivers sitting beside us that we should spare a little more thought for other people when we go behind the wheel.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.