THE country's political scene remains as murky as ever. And amid the strains in intra- and inter-party relations in both the ruling and opposing coalitions, it is easy to talk of parliamentary democracy and high-flown ideas on growing the economy and forget about the simple things that bear on the people's psyche.

Indeed, it is tempting to suggest that elected representatives have a warped sense of public duty that has led to the prevailing political disarray.

The disconnect between politicians and public psyche, for want of a better term, is none clearer than the way traffic issues in Malaysia are looked at.

Much has been said about the high fatality rate on Malaysian roads. The blame for accidents almost always falls on "reckless motorists". But while apportioning blame on them is right, the reasons behind such recklessness are scarcely studied.

It's all about identifying the culprit in an accident. The job is done, problem solved, once the finger is pointed in the right direction, the culprit.

Surely traffic accidents are also symptomatic of other issues in everyday life, such as the stress level among commercial drivers or salespersons as we put more economic value on time.

Then there is the question of proper traffic regulation and road maintenance.

For instance, how often have we thought to ourselves: These road humps are not speed breakers but car breakers! They get a lot of fun by scraping car bellies. Look at all the scratch marks.

Who put up those substandard humps? Did the local authorities commission them and supervise their erection?

But while humps are built everywhere, very seldom are thoroughfares in townships free from traffic congestion. Sometimes it's due to the day/night traders who ply their wares on the sidewalk of the busiest of stretches of tarmac.

There are other irritants, of course, like unreasonably low speed limits on some stretches of roads, which seem to punish the car more than ensure the safety of its driver or pedestrians.

Then there are broken lines, particularly in remote stretches of road, that are barely long enough for a car to overtake a steamroller, a scenario that sets up the driver nicely for a speed trap. If there isn't enough road to overtake safely, why put the dotted line.

It's these little things that are overlooked in favour of more road signs whenever road fatalities come up for discussion. Seriously, if speed limits are adhered to strictly, traffic in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya will be at a standstill during peak periods. No amount of road signs can change that. It's all about being logical about the whole issue. But then there are small people who always confuse common sen with public ringgit, self-interest and fairplay.

They drive big cars, sometimes with "shaking hands" badge emblazoned next to the number plate, have no regard for speed limits, never bother to indicate when turning, and have no qualms about being a litterbug.

These are the little people who complain so much about what's wrong with society.

Some happen to call themselves politicians.

At the end of the day, politics is not about right, middle or left Malaysia. It's about little things and what selfish little brown, yellow, black and motley Malaysians say and mean.

Let's do the little things better then we'll appreciate the differences that make Malaysia a colourful place.