By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — While work from home (WFH) policies are often touted for improving flexibility and productivity, road safety experts believe their impact goes much further, potentially saving thousands of lives each year by reducing traffic congestion and fatal accidents.
The issue regained attention following the recent Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, when temporary WFH directives for civil servants and advisories for private businesses led to noticeably smoother traffic — and fewer accidents — in the Klang Valley.
Experts say that the drop in traffic volume during that period offers a timely case study on how remote work can serve as a low-cost, high-impact public safety measure.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia traffic and road safety psychologist Prof Rozmi Ismail said traffic congestion in Klang Valley has become unmanageable today, with far more vehicles on the road than the city’s infrastructure can accommodate.
“We are seeing an overwhelming number of vehicles on the road at any given time. Car ownership has increased significantly. What used to be a luxury is now a necessity. Most households own at least one vehicle
“With millions of people living in the Klang Valley, a huge number of vehicles are on the road daily. For example, my usual commute from Bangi to UKM used to take just five to 10 minutes. Now, it can take 40 minutes to an hour for the same four to five km journey. That is unreasonable,” he told Media Selangor.
Rozmi said that WFH should be the default for roles that do not require physical presence, especially in the civil service.
“I strongly support the government’s call for WFH, especially for jobs that do not require physical presence. If your work involves data, software, or client-facing roles that can be managed online, there is no need to be in the office every day.
“Maybe once or twice a week, for meetings, sure. But otherwise, stay home. For support staff like clerks, finance officers, or IT operators, WFH should be the default,” he said.
Rozmi cited the Covid-19 lockdowns as clear evidence of the connection between reduced travel and improved road safety.
He noted that during the various movement control orders imposed by the government, data showed a sharp drop in road fatalities.
“Every year, we usually record 5,000 to 6,000 deaths on Malaysian roads. That is annually, not over a decade. But in 2020 and 2021, during the peak lockdowns, fatal accidents dropped by 60 to 70 per cent.
“That means thousands of lives were saved. It is a powerful example of how reduced mobility can improve road safety,” Rozmi said, adding that motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable group.
Reduced commuting has a measurable impact on emissions and is one of the low-hanging fruits among environmental initiatives that the government could pursue.
“Developed countries have long understood this, which is why they prioritise public transport. When more people use buses or trains, carbon emissions naturally decrease.”
“Studies show that a single car emits about one kg of carbon (based on calculation models, not physical weight). Now, imagine one million cars; that is a massive amount. If we could cut even half of that, the environmental benefit would be enormous,” he said.
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The Petronas Twin Towers is visible in the background of a signboard for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 2025 decorates the environs of Kuala Lumpur, as Malaysia takes over as Asean chair this year, on January 1, 2025. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
Fewer vehicles, lower risks
Similarly, Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Law Teik Hua believes structured WFH policies can serve as a practical tool to ease congestion and reduce traffic-related risks.
He said the smoother traffic flow during the Asean Summit, when many businesses adopted temporary WFH arrangements, demonstrated that even a modest reduction in vehicle volume can have a significant impact.
“From a road safety perspective, fewer vehicles on the road generally means a lower risk of collisions, especially during peak hours, when traffic density is high and driver stress increases,” Law said.
He warned that traffic congestion is not just a safety issue — it also results in substantial economic losses, both from wasted fuel and lost productivity.
“Additionally, when vehicles idle in traffic, fuel efficiency drops sharply, contributing to unnecessary carbon emissions and higher operating costs. Time lost in daily traffic jams also affects mental well-being and work-life balance.
“A broader adoption of WFH policies, even on a rotational or hybrid basis, can significantly cut peak-hour volume, improve traffic flow, and help reduce Malaysia’s urban carbon footprint,” Law said.
He noted that WFH works best when integrated with long-term infrastructure planning, ultimately reducing private vehicles on roads.
“It buys time for larger infrastructure projects to take effect and can be used strategically, including during major events, weather disruptions, or peak festive seasons.
“It (WFH) is not a replacement for public transport development, but it enhances its effectiveness by reducing overall travel demand,” Law said.
Reduced traffic volumes can also directly improve emergency response times and reduce accident severity.
“Fewer vehicles on the road typically result in fewer collisions, less aggressive driving, and better response times for emergency services.
“While WFH will not eliminate accidents, it can certainly contribute to lower fatality rates, especially during high-risk periods like weekday rush hours,” he said.
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Image for illustration purposes only. — Picture via PEXELS[/caption]
