MOTORCYCLISTS make up the highest road fatalities at 59 per cent, according to the latest Malaysia Road Fatalities Index figures between 2010 and 2019.
Referring to the Transport Ministry's report, Hong Leong Industries Bhd (HLI) group managing director Datuk Dr Jim Khor Mun Wei said raising road safety awareness in Malaysia remains crucial despite the year-on-year decrease — from a high of 3.4 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles in 2010 to 1.97 deaths in 2019.
He said this during the 25th anniversary of the annual Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign which is a collaborative event between the Malaysia Motorcycle Scooter Dealers' Association (MMSDA) and Hong Leong Yamaha Motor (HLYM).
The campaign aims to empower motorcyclists in Malaysia to ride home safely during the Hari Raya celebrations.
It is the longest-running annual road safety campaign conducted in collaboration with motorcycle dealers in the motorcycle industry to raise awareness of road safety especially during peak traffic periods like the festive seasons — by emphasising the importance of proper vehicle maintenance, adhering to speed limits, and safe defensive riding techniques.
The campaign also features various activities such as safety riding courses, test rides and free motorcycle inspections.
More than 200 authorised Yamaha Quality Service centres offered free motorcycle service for 48 customers on a first-come, first-served basis during the latest campaign period which ended before Raya.
Customers who send their motorcycles in for this free service will get to participate in a lucky draw and stand a chance to win the grand prize of a Yamaha EZ115.
"We prioritise product safety as a key focus area in our sustainability pillar at HLI. As a subsidiary of HLI, HLYM's Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign is core to our social responsibility in advocating and driving awareness of safe riding to our customers.
"At the same time, as a motorcycle manufacturer, we have a major role to play in promoting safe riding awareness within our communities. We hope that this campaign will inspire like-minded industry players to embark on similar programmes for their customers to enhance overall road safety awareness in the country," said Jim.
According to the same index report, approximately 1.35 million Malaysians died in road crashes each year for the 2010-2019 period. On average 3,700 people lost their lives every day on the roads. In second place 21 per cent of fatalities were attributed to passenger cars among various road users.
Road traffic injuries are said to cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to nations as a whole. Based on value of statistical life (VSOL) year of 2018 by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the Malaysian government has lost at least RM3.12 million for each life.
The report concluded that road accidents constitute a serious public health challenge to the nation and the figures underline the urgent need for an effective policy response with an average of 18 persons killed in road accidents every day in Malaysia.
The country has seen a steady decline in road fatalities since 2010 as-per the report.