The increasing numbers of hybrid vehicles on public roads is a blessing but that also increases the chances of one being involved in an accident and if mishandled during rescue efforts, the high voltage electrical system could bring about further peril instead.
With that in mind, Honda Malaysia recently brought together selected government agencies for a safety talk on the subject of handling and responding to road emergencies involving vehicles with Integrated Motor Assist System (IMA).
The one day course saw training personnel from Honda Malaysia share important information on appropriate procedure and techniques in responding to and handling road emergencies involving hybrid vehicles from Honda with representatives from relevant government agencies.
“There are some technological differences between a hybrid vehicle, particularly that of its high-voltage (DC100.8V for Insight and DC158V for Civic Hybrid) component, and those of a conventional vehicle,” said Yoichiro Ueno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Honda Malaysia.
Ueno went on to explain that the IMA system consists of a battery with complex and highly reactive substances. In the context of mishandling the system, the rescuer or victim could be electrocuted. Therefore, rescue work must be carried out according to proper procedure as outlined in the Emergency Response Manual for Hybrid Vehicles from Honda Malaysia.
“That being the case, any rescue team should be adequately informed about the dos and don'ts prior to handling a hybrid vehicle involved in an accident. Otherwise, the safety of the rescue team and that of the victims could be gravely compromised,” added Ueno.
Representatives from Honda Assist provided information and explanations to the representatives from five government agencies, the Fire and Rescue Department, Public Defense Department, Road Transport Department, Road Safety Department and the Highway Committee of Malaysia.
“There are more and more hybrid vehicles on the road and it is becoming more popular because of the tax incentive initiated by the government. This event is good because hybrid knowledge is not so readily available, not only among us, but also among other relevant parties such as police and highway patrol and the public,” said El Taraff Mohd B. Zachariah, an officer from the Fire and Rescue Academy that participated in the event.
