Azhan, The Despatch cum Road Safety Ambassador

By Kurniawati Kamarudin KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- The couriers spend much of their day on the roads, and on their motorcycles. However, road users are not impressed with many of these dispatchers who, in the course of their work, flaunt safety and even endanger other road users. They weave through traffic choked roads and race through desolated lanes. They ignore traffic lights with impunity and probably break many other traffic rules in completing their tasks. Thus, it is no surprise that members of the public view these dispatchers as being not any better than the notorious 'mat rempit', literally hooligans on motorcycles. Realising the poor road safety practices displayed by these couriers, an insurance company that provides coverage for motorcyclists, and the one that employs 31 dispatchers, has been working to pass along road safety messages for dispatchers and other motorcyclists. ROAD SAFTY AMBASSADORS Thus, all of Allianz's courier dispatchers, including Azhan Rizan Mastor, 34, and Azman Che Mat, 35, not only deliver these safety messages, but also serve as the company's road safety ambassadors. They are highly disciplined drivers with a strong regard for road safety and serve as a good example for other motorcyclists. Azhan, who has been with Allianz for a decade, feels his role as a road safety ambassador has made him adhere to road safety practices, not only during work, but whenever he is on the road. "We work in the name of the company, so we have to take care of our company's reputation by keeping up with traffic rules. "It is also for our own safety and, thank god, so far I have not been involved in an accident while carrying out my duties," he adds. Each day he starts off at 8.30 am by conducting routine checks on his motorcycle. The working condition of the front and rear lights, signal lights and tires, are checked to ensure a safe ride. Before starting off, he dons his safety vest to reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash or a fall on the road. As for the average courier in the country, their workhorse is the typical 'kapcai' (underbone motorcycles), but for the dispatchers at Allianz they are supplied with scooters. Why scooters? "Studies indicate that scooters are much safer on roads, compared to motorcycles, as their speed is limited. "What is the point of going fast when your safety is compromised?" asks Azhan, who keeps his focus on the roads and surroundings while riding. LESSONS ON ROAD SAFETY Azman, who has been the road safety ambassador for his employer for the last three years, learnt a lot about road safety from the Road Safety Department (JKJR). "I'm also a 'friend of JKJR', where I serve as the eyes and ears of road users, alerting the authorities of dangers on the road, such as fallen branches or potholes. "Apart from that, I have become more involved on the roads. If I see other dispatchers on the road who don't observe the rules, such as not fastening their crash helmet strap, I will let them know of their mistake. It is the responsibility of fellow road users to remind one another," he says. Throughout the 13 years he worked, Azman has witnessed numerous accidents due to the poor road safety culture. Among the most notable one was when a dispatch rider was killed at the Jalan Sultan Ismail junction when he failed to stop at a red light. "Beating traffic lights is an offence frequently committed by dispatch riders, followed by riding against the traffic flow, failure to properly wear their crash helmets and other misdemeanors that puts their lives at risk. "All these speak of the poor attitude of riders," he says, adding that more companies should work with the Road Safety Department to improve the road safety culture among their dispatchers. CSR ALLIANZ Each year, motorcyclist are at the top of road fatalities list and these fatality figures are compounded by the fact that motorcyclists represent the highest number of road users in the country. For example, last year more than 4,126 riders and their passengers died on the roads. Yet the alarming statistics failed to convince riders, and even pillion riders, about the hazards awaiting them. As an insurance company of choice for many motorcyclists, Allianz has been delivering road safety message through the 'Allianz4Good' programme, as part of the company's corporate social responsibility. The head for the Allianz4Good programme, Ng Siew Gek, notes that the company is working towards creating increased awareness among motorcyclists about road safety. ENHANCE AWARENESS Ng, who is also the company's secretary, notes that the these safety ambassadors also provide a helping hand for road accident victims. As the company's dispatchers are always on the road, their safety is paramount and, at the same time, they also serve as good role models for other road users. "We provide them with high quality safety vests, apart from an inexpensive loan package for scooters, so they can travel safely while carrying out their work," he says. Also, a cooperation memorandum with the Road Safety Department was signed last year to jointly undertake road safety campaigns. "Apart from road safety training for Allianz staff, they also serve as volunteers in campaigns conducted by both the JKJR and Allianz," he says. So far, more than 280 employees of Allianz have undergone training with the Road Safety Department and another 300 will undergo training and serve as friends of JKJR. He adds that among the recent campaigns conducted with the department is the exchange of old crash helmets for new ones, with more than 1,000 crash helmets given to motorcyclists since last year. "We are also planning to extend the awareness campaign among students, as we are confident that if road safety education starts early, it will help create a more knowledgeable generation about road safety," he says. -- BERNAMA