KUALA LUMPUR: The tragedy that happened at the Penang Bridge last Sunday emphasis the need to keep tools such as hammers and seat belt cutters in their vehicles, according to the Malaysian Society for Occupational Safety and Health (MSOSH),
MSOSH committee member Aliasman Morshidi said that such equipment would actually save lives in the event of an accident when a vehicle suddenly stalls or sinks into the sea or river.
“If we are able to install dashboard cameras or ‘dashcam’ in the car, why not keep hammers to break glasss windows and cutters for seat belts that don’t cost much?
“If vehicles enter the river or sea, water pressure is very strong, then the car door will be difficult to open and we need a hammer to break the window and immediately get out of the car before it sinks,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
He added that besides the tools, the head-rest on seats can be easily detached and used to break the car window which could save those in a vehicle during an an emergency.
Most glass hammers are sold in a three-in-one kits in many local stores which also have seat belt knives and small flashlights, he said.
A private college student, Moey Yun Peng, 20, was killed after the Mazda CX-5 SUV he was driving collided with a Toyota Vios car before it plunged into the sea at Kilometre 4 of the Penang Bridge at 2.54 am on Sunday
Efforts to retrieved Moey’s vehicle and body were prevented by strong currents and the depth of the sea. Both the victim who was strapped to the car seat and the vehicle were pulled out only yesterday (Tuesday) evening. – Bernama
