More news from the 12th Malaysia Plan (Rancangan Malaysia Ke-12 or RMK-12), which was revealed today by prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. The government has said that it will enforce an “energy-efficient driving programme”, making it mandatory for all driving licence classes in the country.
Frustratingly, the plan did not provide any specifics, but we can presume that it will involve a lot of coasting, light throttle applications and shifting to as high a gear as possible. Such a proposal has been bandied about in many countries and has even been implemented in places like Austria, in which a driver’s ability to “drive in an environmentally conscious manner” is assessed as part of its driving test.
Implementing an eco-driving programme in its driving test criteria would certainly put Malaysia as one of the leaders in this regard, although there are some factors that need to be considered beforehand. For one thing, there are aspects of fuel saving that are diametrically opposed to safe driving, such as driving slower than the normal flow of traffic, which could increase the risk of a collision.
Then again, driving in a fuel-efficient manner will also teach learners to better anticipate the movements of other road users, which could make them more aware on the road and thus, safer. Over to you now – do you think prospective drivers should learn to drive in a manner that maximises the distance between the pumps, or do you think there are other priorities to consider? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
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What about the most basic and important consideration SAFETY!
Safety have always been taught in driving schools. Look at mirrors, use signals, keeping distance. But guess what, most Malaysians throw out what they learn both at schools and at driving.
Cut down the huge groups of escort teams for VVIPs and learn to drive follow the speed limit already very energy efficient liao…also create safer driving environment for road users. Thanks!
Since you mentioneb this, I was caught in an car accident by a xxxxxx police car escorting cars. The police car cane out from junction to Elite highway and headed straight away to fast lane like carb. I managed to stop but xxx behind me knocked me very hard and push me moved forward to hit front car. 4 cars involved. But the xxxxxx police car just ran away like that!
Training for autonomous driving and whether “flying car” is a plane or car or both to determine licence (s)
IMHO A) safety first; implement the demerit Kejora system FIRST which can ‘Lockdown’ repeated offenders, and charge them in court. Revoke their licence and punish them with community service.
B) second priority should be lower energy usage for mobility by following effective methods;
1) reduce car usage by removing fuel subsidy which benefits the rich more than the motorcycle user, then implement congestion charges
2) replace car journeys with public transport and active mobility namely commuting cycling #cycleForLife
3) reduce highway speed limit as drag increase by power of 2 when speed increase
4) smoothen road trips with less traffic lights …. thanks
If authorities revoke lesen to prevent bad drivers on the road, can the same authorities confiscate bikes used by cyclists that likes to draft behind other vehicles?
So, I have passed the course without training, since my car travels at 50 kph on a highway, and is already at 5th gear at that speed. :)
Efficient and Safe is a must. Teach some basic law of physics and lots use cases too.
Don’t subsidize fuel prices, automatically all drivers will be light on the throttle
should make precision driving classes mandatory.
A welcoming news. Whilst they’re at it, why not also make mandatory the training for proper use of fog-lights, hazard lights and highway driving lane.
Being an efficient driver is good. But being stuck in an uneccesary traffic jam because of roadblocks is a waste of resources and precious time.
Just raise the fuel price to RM 10 per liter we all automatic will drive very fuel efficiency
The idea of teaching n creating awareness is always good n welcome however If energy conservation is the aim here then it shd go beyond n above obtaing driving license
Have an efficient motoring expenditure programme 1st before doing this energy efficient driving programme.
Waste of time and money.
The main focus should be trying to find a way to punish those that drive like they own the road. No turn signal, running red light, tailgating, double parking, speeding, emergency lane abusers, etc. The list goes on.
These issues have not even been solved to at least 50% in yet and you want to focus on something else?? Lets get our priorities straight here please!
Ya teach people all this. But when it comes to turn signal usage and brake lights/taillights that don’t work you guys are No.1. Should be giving tickets for those ppl, will make roads so much safer.