Leaking oil hoses, vehicle equipment and wiring damages are among the main causes of vehicles catching fire. The matter was among those shared by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications during the Press Conference of the National Road Safety Council, MKKJR recently. According to Awang Haji Mohd Salihin bin Haji Aspar, who is also the Secretary of MKKJR, the incidences of vehicles catching fire throughout 2019 and 2020 have increased compared to 2018. The press conference was held at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications.
Awang Haji Mohd Salihin said from the statistics of the Land Transport Department and Fire and rescue Department, 58 vehicles caught fire from January to 18th of July 2021. Throughout 2019 and 2020, 93 vehicles which caught fire were reported which is an increase of 28 vehicles from 2018 which only recorded 65 incidences.
Meanwhile, Lim Hock Guan, Director of Fire and Rescue advised drivers to keep ABC-type portable fire extinguisher in the car and home as a safety measure. At the same time, the fire and rescue department also offers courses for the public namely Life Saver and Fire Marshall Courses which can help in extinguishing small fires. It is important for the society at all levels to have a fire-fighting knowledge in the event of a fire.
In the same press conference, Awang Haji Rozaly bin Haji Saidon, Director of Land Transport gave a brief guideline on vehicle maintenance. Vehicles should undergo periodic inspections and if needed specific inspections if the damage is known at workshops and inspection stations accredited by the Land Transport Department.
Awang Mohamad Fadhillah bin Awang Sulaiman, Vice Chairman of the Brunei Automobile Traders Association, BATA said that among the efforts of automobile dealers in ensuring the safety of consumers is to make vehicle equipment replacements which are listed in the recall list from the vehicle manufacturer.
Source: Radio Television Brunei