SHAH ALAM - The death of a 13-year-old student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tanjung Mas has raised questions over safety, human error and accountability in environments meant to be safe.
The victim, Nur Fatimatul Hawa Mohd Azaudin, a Form One student, was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a car while putting on her shoes in front of the school surau at about 1.30pm on Sunday.
Initial investigations indicated that the driver, a 57-year-old teacher, may have mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to surge forward and hit the student.
Kota Bharu police chief ACP Mohd Azmir Damiri said the driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle following the error.
“The driver is believed to have mistakenly pressed the accelerator pedal before losing control and hitting the victim,” he said.
Another student was seriously injured in the incident and is receiving treatment at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.
The legal response
Within hours, the case moved into the criminal justice system.
The teacher was detained and later brought to court, where a two-day remand order was issued to assist investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, a provision typically used in cases involving death caused by reckless or dangerous driving.
She arrived at the Kota Bharu Court Complex in a police vehicle at around 8.40 am the following day.
While a remand does not imply guilt, it reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, particularly given that it occurred within a school compound, not on a public road.
Family’s response
Nur Fatimatul Hawa had been raised by her aunt, Zuraifah Noor, since she was young, following the death of her mother five years ago. Speaking after the incident, Zuraifah said the teacher had apologised repeatedly.
“I forgive her. The teacher apologised many times when we met,” she said.
She added that the teacher claimed she had blacked out during the incident.
“The teacher said she blacked out and did not know what she was doing. When she realised it, it had already happened.”
Zuraifah said the teacher appeared shaken.
“I looked at her face and she seemed shocked and traumatised. We understand, no one wants this to happen.”
She described the incident as fate.
“This is all determined by Allah. If we get angry, it is as if we are questioning what has been destined.”
A moment of human error or something more?
Cases involving pedal misapplication - confusing the accelerator for the brake - are not uncommon, but they can be devastating.
Automotive analyst Nazz Abdullah explains that such errors often happen in high-pressure or sudden situations, when instinct overrides conscious control.
“If a pedal error occurs, the recommended immediate action is to lift the foot completely (reset foot position) before pressing the correct pedal.
“At the same time, the driver can shift the gear to ‘Neutral’ to cut off engine power to the wheels,” he told Sinar.
He added that footwear plays a significant role in pedal control, warning that high heels or slippery shoes can increase the risk of slipping, while worn-out pedals or driving in socks may also reduce stability.