PASIR GUDANG: Working together to promote road safety awareness and advocacy is key to avoiding unwanted tragedies, including those involving illegal racing, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Transport Minister said that the incident on Friday (April 22) involving three teenagers who were killed in a road accident during illegal racing was a sad tragedy.

       "We are saddened by the news and we need to take the tragedy as a lesson for all. It is better to take preventive measures rather than discussing later on why such an incident happened.

       "Education and advocacy are vital steps for all of us to take to prevent this from happening again. This does not fall only on the government's shoulder but also parents and the society at large," he said, adding that the Ministry would not compromise on road safety.

       He added that the Road Safety Council would have to look for an effective way to educate that public.

       Dr Wee said this after handing over boxes of Hari Raya cookies to 15 seafarers at Johor Port here on Sunday (April 24).

       He also said enforcement is another important measure that must be taken seriously to avoid such incidents.

       "The enforcement is not done by the Ministry alone, the police have also been given the power to take stern actions under the Road Transport Act.

       "The existing laws we have are sufficient and the important thing is to make sure that it works through enforcement," he said.

       Three teenagers were killed while another was seriously injured while racing on their motorcycles at Jalan Delima, Taman Kota Masai here.

       Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak had said that initial investigations showed that the incident happened when they were competing among themselves.

       "The motorcycles brushed against each other, causing the accident. Three victims were thrown to the left side of the road, and another to the right,” he said.