KUALA TERENGGANU — A tragic road accident at a signalised junction in Kuala Terengganu claimed the life of a young university student on Monday, highlighting once again the dangers of ignoring traffic laws.
The victim, a 24-year-old student of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), was killed when her car was struck by another vehicle believed to have run a red light at the Jalan Bukit Kecil junction near the JPJ office.
The crash occurred at about 1.31pm as the victim was executing a U-turn after receiving a green light. A Honda Jazz, allegedly driven at high speed by a male motorist, collided with her Perodua Viva, resulting in a powerful impact that left the smaller vehicle severely damaged.
Viral dashcam footage of the incident shows the Honda Jazz entering the junction without slowing down, raising questions about the driver’s adherence to traffic signals and speed limits at the time of the crash.
Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Mohd Salleh Abdullah said his team received an emergency call shortly after the incident and reached the scene swiftly.
“The victim was trapped inside her vehicle and rescue operations took around 20 minutes. Additional care was required as an electric pole had collapsed following the collision, posing a potential safety risk,” he said.
He added that the male driver involved had been assisted out of his vehicle by bystanders prior to the arrival of emergency responders and was taken to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital for treatment.
Despite rescue efforts, the female driver was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries. Her remains were subsequently handed over to the Polis Diraja Malaysia for further investigation.
The incident has sparked widespread public reaction online, with many calling for stricter enforcement against red-light violations and dangerous driving practices.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including traffic signal data and dashcam evidence, as part of their efforts to establish accountability.
Road safety advocates have reiterated the importance of compliance with traffic laws, stressing that reckless driving not only endangers the driver but also innocent road users who obey the rules.
