The New Straits Times Online: 2 youngsters killed in crash

The New Straits Times Online: 2 youngsters killed in crash

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The headline made me feel very sad for the lost of such young lives. However, after I read this article, I was perplexed. Why was a 14yr old riding a motorbike and sending her 20 yr old sister to work? I am sure the 14 yr old has no license as such why was she allowed to ride the bike? why did the family allow it?! and isn't the motor bike built to carry just 2 passengers on it? why was the 2 yr old on the bike as well?

This is how it is in Malaysia!

We as responsible adults allow this to happen, We allow our loved one to break the rules. We show them by bad examples to break traffic laws. As such it is our fault that these very young babies has had their lives cut short.

The rear seat belt rule has been in place for the past 6 months yet everyday while driving to and from work or around town even on the highway I see rear passengers in the car without seat belts on. Mainly i see kids standing in the car!

I am a parent too. My child refused to buckle up in the car too. She is very stubborn but after the 1st 10 arguments and lots of wailing and tantrums, now she tell me to not move the car until she is safely buckled up in it. My secret was i told her that from the 1st of January 2009 she is in charge of the back passengers, she can scold anyone who doesn't listen to her instruction to buckle up in the car. And it works! many of my adult friends has had the unfortunate experience of getting a telling off from my 4 yr old for not buckling up when in the car. She helps My grand ma to buckle up too. And I am very proud of her.

It is not easy to get kids in to a new habit, yes i know, but no matter how stubborn they are we are still the responsible ones, we are responsible for their safety, for their lives.
It's the same as wearing a helmet when riding a bike. Riding or driving without a license. running a red light, not using the indicator when turning left or right, cutting ques, etc.
And thinking back on all these bad habits we has adults do and teach our young to do, I am very ashamed and filled with guilt. For me, I will make it my priority to follow the laws more stringently no matter how late i am or how empty the road is. I will make sure i do not be a bad example to the young children around me.