25/05/2025

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY MAY 25, 2025

If I were in charge of road safety

Sustainable mobility Honda launches all electric e:N1 SUV

IN 2023, an average of 18 people died on Malaysian roads every day. This is an unacceptable figure by any standards. In fact, a quick search online will show you that Malaysia ranks thirds as the most danger

enforcement and steeper fines and jail sentences. What about the rest? We are putting life, limb and our chil dren at risk on a daily basis whenever we use our roads. Nine FRU person nel lost their lives

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

recently. And all because a repeat offender was still driv ing. Where was the enforce ment to ensure that person never got behind the wheel again? But if the authorities do not know where to starto, perhaps it is best to emulate systems from our many neighbours that have shown to be effec tive. We can learn from Singapore that strict enforce ment yields results. Singapore is among the safest countries to drive in the world. Their public transport facili ties make ours seem like we are still stuck in the 90s and their police enforcement is exemplary. We can learn from Australia that setting up mobile speed cameras at ran dom locations is more effec tive than using a permanent one – where everyone can just brake to avoid detection. Why the headache to install systems to calculate your average speed? Just install mobile cameras at ran dom locations every day, and these systems do not even require an individual to oper ate so the police can be left to focus on policing. Leave it at one location for an hour one day, and another location for two hours another day. And enforce demerit points like it was a religion. What is the use of having demerit points if they are not deducted anyway? We can also learn from Thailand that a no nonsense attitude with motorcyclists is needed. If you have ever dealt with a Thai police offi cer hell bent on issuing you a ticket, you will know what I mean by this. But if everything else fails, I suggest the “three strikes and you are out” method. I suggest that anyone who receives three traffic fines within a year be issued with a mandatory seven day jail sen tence, with his or her car or motorcycle being impounded for a month. Too harsh? Ask the families of the victims of accidents. Let’s face it, desperate times calls for desperate measures, and we are in some desper ate times when it comes to road safety.

ous country to drive in South East Asia. Data from 2019 by the World Health Organisation states this as a fact, with 22.5 deaths per 100,000 popula tion. The most dangerous? That would be Thailand with 32.2 deaths per 100,000 popula tion. On a global scale, Malaysia does not rank in the top 20 most dangerous countries to drive in the world. Our neigh bours to the north rank No. 4 while Vietnam ranks at No. 18. Let’s face it, though we do not rank as the most danger ous, driving on Malaysian roads can be a horrifying experience. The traffic light may give you the right of way but motorcyclist will zoom past you as they wish, sometimes missing you by mere inches. And if you dare honk at them, you better be ready for trou ble. In fact, I will be sending my toddler to muay thai classes quite soon so he can hold his own against the legendary Malaysian bully, which we know there are plenty of. Self-defence used to be a form of exercise, something that you did to keep fit. Now though, it is a necessity. Because you never know when a bully will target you. And the powers that be seem completely powerless to stop it. Instead they seem to wait for videos to be uploaded to social media as evidence and then make an arrest. It almost seems like they do it to pacify the online heat rather than anything else. Bullies are not the only thing we need to watch out for on our roads. Drunk or drivers high on drugs are a constant plague. Rethreaded tyres that have exploded with carcasses threatening to damage cars and murder motorcyclists are a daily sight on our roads. Speedsters and all others who think they are above the law are another bunch that we road users deal with on a daily basis. But why do the authorities seem so powerless? This has been going on for years now and the only real initiative that we have seen is to curb drink driving with more stricter

HONDA MALAYSIA has officially introduced its first fully electric vehicle, the e:N1 SUV, marking a pivotal step in the company’s jour ney towards sustainable mobility and carbon neutrality in the local market. The e:N1 represents a new chapter in Honda’s electrification strategy, combining cutting-edge battery-electric technology with the marque’s hallmark emphasis on driving enjoyment, innovation, and everyday usability. According to Honda Malaysia, the e:N1 has been carefully engineered to meet the demands of contemporary Malaysian motorists and serves as a foundation for the brand’s broader battery electric vehicle (BEV) plans in the coun try. Developed on Honda’s dedicated e:N Architecture F platform, the e:N1 adopts a front-wheel-drive layout designed to deliver responsive acceleration and stable handling. The SUV is powered by a high-output elec tric motor, producing 201hp and 310Nm of torque. It is paired with a 68.8kWh lithium-ion bat tery, offering a claimed driving range of up to 412km on the WLTP cycle (500km NEDC), positioning the e:N1 as a practical option for both urban and long-distance driving. Aesthetically, the e:N1 showcases Honda’s evolving design identity with a sleek, aerody namic silhouette and contemporary styling cues. Key design elements include full LED head lights, a continuous LED light bar at the rear, and bespoke 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels exclusive to this model. Functionality remains a central focus of the e:N1’s design. The SUV supports both AC and

DC charging, with the port cleverly integrated into the front fascia for ease of access. A visible charging indicator placed above the grille allows the driver to monitor charging pro gress at a glance. Measuring 4,380mm in length with a 2,610mm wheelbase and a height of 1,592mm, the e:N1 slots into the compact SUV segment, offering a blend of urban-friendly proportions and interior space suitable for daily use. For comfort and practicality, the e:N1 retains Honda’s signature spaciousness with 60:40 split rear seat configuration and 344 litres of cargo space. When it comes to the interior, the standout feature is the massive 15.1-inch vertically ori ented infotainment screen, which is digitally divided into three sections. This setup works well despite the lack of physical buttons, as all essential functions remain easily accessible with just a touch. It also includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto connectivity and a Navigation system. In terms of safety, the e:N1 is equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, which includes nine advanced driver assistance sys tems. These are further supported by Blind Spot Information (BSI) and Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM), both of which work together to improve situational awareness and ensure a safer driving experience. To commemorate the launch, the company is offering the SUV at RM149,900.00, available for a limited quantity. It comes with an eight year or 160,000km warranty (whichever comes first) on the electric vehicle battery and electric drive system.