Now that the Federal Government has shelved the Penang Monorail project, there is speculation that calls for a cheaper Penang tramcar system may gather more momentum. But are we ready for the re-introduction of trams on our streets? Just this week, I've been reading of people dying in Europe because they had been hit by tramcars.
In Vienna, a teacher died after being run over by a tram as he tried to cross a road while listening to his MP3 player. The man had failed to either see or hear warnings that the tram was approaching him. The news report said that the driver began to brake but still hit the pedestrian with such force that he suffered multiple injuries to his head, kidneys and ribs.
The teacher's death came less than a month after a Glasgow University student died while listening to her iPod. She had gone out jogging but failed to stop for traffic and fell under the wheels of a bus.
People moving around with earphones are often oblivious to things that go on around them. This problem will not go away soon. Moreover, we know how people will always want to beat the traffic, one way or another. If we intend to have tramcars on the roads of Penang island, it is necessary to educate people properly on the new dangers that trams will introduce.
But of course, at the end of the day, it all boils down to common sense when dealing with traffic. Especially in Asia.
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