Page 58 - Issue 1

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56 | FireFlyz
PERSONALITY
I
N
today’s world, driving requires
more than it certainly used too. With
the increase in road rage incidents
and accidents, you just can’t be too
careful. Just recently, Malaysia’s
Road Transport Department issued
a directive requiring all new learner
drivers to take a driving etiquette class
in order to qualify for their licence.
Yoong couldn’t agree more: “If there is
going to be a change for more civilised
traffic, then there are a few things the
authorities should do, and one of them
is to make it harder to pass a driving
test! The number of people doing
60kph in the fast lane is absolutely
silly.”
Going Too Slow
It’s not just about slowing down the
speedsters, Yoong notes. “It’s about closing
the discrepancy gap on the road. Going
too slow is just as dangerous as going
too fast. What I would like to see is a rise
in the standard of commercial vehicles
allowed on the road. Having a truck
doing 20kph uphill because its engine
is in such bad shape, is again incredibly
dangerous (not to mention the number of
bus accidents that occur) – so don’t allow
guys who drive too slowly out there to get
the better of you.”
Road Conditions
According to Yoong, another major
concern is the standard of our Malaysian
roads. “Knowing the conditions and
outlay of the roads is important for
your safety.” He adds that having big
three-lane highways with tight corners
are also things to watch out for. “It can
catch you off-guard if you suddenly
Currently based inMalaysia, AlexYoong is undertakingwork for Caterham
F1 as the head of driver development (Asia). Yoong, who became the first
Malaysian to race in FormulaOnewithMinardi at the 2001 ItalianGrand Prix,
is also a commentator and pundit on FoxSports Asia. Here, Yoong shares
with
Marrion Tan
of Fireflyz his take on driving onMalaysian roads.
Alex Yoong:
Driving
on Malaysian Roads
Going too slow is just as dangerous as going too fast, says Yoong.
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