Month: August 2013

It was in 1982 that I dozed while behind the driving wheel. I and my family was traveling back from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar after sending off my sister in-law at Subang Airport.

The first sign that alert me to rest and take a nap was the van veered into the other lane at Batu Caves junction. Luckily those days roads on KL is not as crowded as today. I decided to take a rest at Templer Park.

However just when the resting  place is within sight, I was awaken when the van was pushed back onto the road after hitting the guardrail. Well, I doozed off again. Thanks Allah, the van hit the guardrail. If not for the guardrail, the whole family would have ended in the ravine below.  

From then on I promised to myself not to drive again if I feel sleepy. 

The Malay saying, “Pelanduk sering melupakan jerat, tetapi jerat tidak pernah melupakan pelanduk” is true. 

Coming back home this Aidil Fitri, I had a repeat of the same incident. After taking a rest and nap at Sungai Muda RnR for about 2 hours, I took off while still not fully awake. The bright morning sun ray shining right in front makes things worse. 

I skipped the Sungai Petani South Exit as usually I will do and start using the Federal Route 1 until Alor Setar. I thought I wanted to take the Sungai Petani Utara Exit and skip the expected jam through Sungai Petani town. However Allah might have shielded my intention and I missed the Sungai Petani Utara Exit. So I drove along the highway. 

I did not realise when I dozed off again until the car hit the guardrail. I did not stop to inspect until mu son told me that my mother’s forehead is swollen. She knocked against the side of the car.

It was about 10-15 Km to Gurun RnR where I stop to get some ice to treat her injury. 

Besides her, no one else had any injury. My wife might be saved by wearing the seat belt, while my son was sitting on the right side of the car. 

Thanks Allah, nothing serious had happened to us.