MIRI: A total of 5,609 road accident cases were recorded in Sarawak from January to March 2026, raising concerns about the level of safety of road users in the state.
Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said, of the total, 99 cases involved fatal accidents resulting in 107 deaths.
"In addition, 30 serious accident cases were recorded with 39 victims seriously injured, while 69 cases involved minor injuries with 87 victims injured.
"A total of 5,411 cases were property damage accidents," he said when speaking at the Road Safety Campaign organised by Endaya Construction Sdn Bhd at a petrol station in Pujut, here, on Monday.
Additionally, Miri recorded 1,165 accident cases recorded for the period January to April 2026, an increase of four per cent compared to 1,120 cases for the same period last year.
More worryingly, the Senadin Assemblyman said that the number of fatal accidents increased from 14 to 19 cases, while the number of deaths increased from 15 to 20 people, an increase of more than 30 per cent.
Among the locations identified as high-risk areas include Jalan Miri By-Pass, Jalan Kuala Baram By-Pass, Jalan Persisiran Pantai, Jalan Pan Borneo and Jalan Miri–Airport.
Several 'blackspot' areas were also identified such as Jalan Beraya, part of the Pan Borneo Road in the Suai area, as well as the Miri By-Pass Road from Emart Riam to the Jalan Tanjung Batu intersection
According to Dato Sri Lee, the main causes of accidents include driver negligence, uneven road conditions and inadequate road lighting.
"Road safety aspects do not only depend on enforcement, but also involve the provision of safe infrastructure and the responsible attitude of road users," he explained. -UKASnews
