Shell-MIROS partnership to improve road safety

SHELL Malaysia recently announced its partnership with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) to improve road safety through the International Road Safety Assessment Programme (iRAP).
The iRAP uses a vehicle outfitted with advanced technology to analyse 13,000km of expressways and federal roads nationwide. It then assigns appropriate ratings based on the data collected. The ratings, based on a 5-star scale, serve as a benchmark to pinpoint where improvements are needed. Then, through a consistent methodology, the data is used to develop high-return road safety countermeasures designed to prevent road accidents.
Shell’s partnership with MIROS will drive research and development activities related to the programme. As one of the leading fuel retailers in the country with over 950 retail stations nationwide, Shell Malaysia welcomes MIROS’ effort to improve road safety standards and, most importantly, to share this information with the public, so drivers can be more aware and drive carefully.
The partnership was marked by a signing ceremony witnessed by Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who said, “The Ministry of Transport aims to provide an integrated, efficient, cost-effective, environmentally friendly and, above all, safe transportation system. We need the participation of all stakeholders to address the pressing issue of rising road accident and fatality rates. With this collaborative effort, I am heartened to see MIROS and Shell Malaysia collaborating and leading the way in improving road safety measures.”
Commenting on the partnership, Shell Malaysia chairman, Datuk Iain Lo, said, “Safety is part of our DNA and road transport is a necessary part of our business activities. Just for scale, today in Malaysia alone, our contractors drivers travel about 50 million kilometres yearly, the equivalent of 4 times around the world every day!
"It is our hope that this Road Assessment Programme will help reduce accidents on our roads. Shell will also use iRAP star ratings in our journey management plans and improve our own road safety measures. We hope others will do likewise. I also hope that our action today will inspire other corporate sponsors to support MIROS for this important initiative."
MIROS director-general, Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said, “We will utilise this sponsorship to elevate our research activities to a higher level in achieving better outcomes for our stakeholders and road users. This partnership will allow for continuous cooperation and sustainable road safety efforts in Malaysia.”
In 2015, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) recorded 489,606 cases of road accidents in Malaysia, with 6,706 fatalities. MIROS is taking lead to enhance road safety studies and generate findings to formulate cost-effective road safety interventions.