Campaign to keep motorcyclists safe

Liow: Drive to instil good values among users

SUNGAI BESI: The latest road safety campaign will again focus on the most vulnerable group on the road – motorcyclists.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the campaign, held to coincide with Chinese New Year, is in response to the number of motorcycle fatalities in the country.

He said all parties, including government agencies, must put more effort into raising awareness among road users on the importance of safety.

“This year, we will focus on the safety of motorcyclists and on reducing the number of fatalities among them because, according to statistics, 62% of fatal road accidents involve motorcycles. We cannot take the issue lightly.

“I urge all government agencies to set up their own road safety unit to create more awareness,” he said at the launch of the 2018 road safety campaign at the Sungai Besi R&R stop here yesterday.

The campaign was jointly organised by Malaysia Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association and Kawasaki Motors (Malaysia) Bhd.

“Based on 2016 statistics, from a total of 7,152 deaths on the road, 4,482 or 62% involved motorcyclists,” he added.

Ops Bersepadu and Ops Selamat, to be conducted throughout the country, will begin on Feb 9 and end on Feb 23.

Liow said another aim of the campaign is to inculcate good values among road users, instead of just issuing compounds or summonses during the festive period.

“If I say in my campaign that we are always focusing on issuing compounds, everybody will feel that the Government is only after money. That is not my mission,” Liow said.

“My mission is to save lives, reduce road fatalities and create more awareness.”

He also noted that the Government is considering an age restriction on class B (motorcycles exceeding 500cc engine capacity) licences if more youths are involved in accidents while riding such vehicles.

At the moment, the minimum age to apply for a B licence is 16.

“If statistics show an increase in such cases, we will look into it but we have yet to make any decision.

“We will look at all the proposals while the Road Transport Department will study the implications,” Liow added.

Safety first: Liow exchanging motorists’ worn-out helmets with new ones at the campaign. Looking on (left) is Kawasaki Motors Malaysia director Ahmad Faez Yahya.