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Daily Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Express
Motorcycle tyre safety: how lack of awareness increases accident risk
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Some believe second-hand or bald tyres provide better speed, which is a dangerous misconception. (Envato Elements pic) Kuala Lumpur: The complacent attitude of motorcyclists towards tyre safety, whether in terms of tread condition, air pressure, or wear level, could significantly increase the risk of road accidents. Associate professor Law Teik Hua, head of the road safety research centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said public awareness on tyre safety remains low, especially on aspects such as how to assess tyre conditions by reading the tread wear indicator (TWI) or checking expiry dates. Advertisement 'Many only change their tyres when they are completely worn out or when there is a puncture. A common myth is that if the tyre still looks thick, there's no need to change it, without checking the actual age or rubber condition. 'There are also those who believe second-hand or bald tyres provide better speed, which is a very dangerous misconception,' he told Bernama. Law said the typical lifespan of a motorcycle tyre is between three and five years from the date of manufacture. However, for high-usage instances such as delivery riders, tyres may need to be replaced every 1.5 to two years. 'Tyres that are safe for daily use should have treads with good grip, especially in wet conditions, compatible with the road surface. They should have durable construction, and possess the appropriate speed and load index for the motorcycle used,' he said. Advertisement Law said a tread depth of less than 1.6mm indicates that the tyre needs to be replaced, while a tread level that is flush with the TWI mark signifies the tyre is already worn out. 'Small cracks, bulges, or hardening of the tyre are signs of ageing or damage. Air pressure should also be checked weekly, based on the manufacturer's specifications,' he advised. Law further suggested that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research and road transport department (JPJ) take a more proactive approach by organising tyre safety education campaigns and periodic inspections, as well as mandating the use of tyres that comply with safety standards. Meanwhile, civil servant Mohd Fairuz Shah Rezza Mustafha, 39, believes motorcyclists should take the initiative to understand tyre safety features rather than rely solely on mechanics. 'We are closest to our rides; therefore, tyre safety monitoring should start with us. I prefer to inspect my tyres myself, as it gives me more confidence when riding,' he explained. Fairuz, who rides a Honda RS150R for commuting and convoy activities, said he doesn't mind spending more for high-quality tyres that he feels confident using every day. 'I believe branded tyres offer a high level of safety assurance as a result of extensive research and development, as well as rigorous testing to ensure every detail of the design is truly safe,' he added.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Lack of tyre safety awareness among motorcyclists increases risk on roads, says don
KUALA LUMPUR: The complacent attitude of motorcyclists towards tyre safety, whether in terms of tread condition, air pressure, or wear level, could significantly increase the risk of road accidents, says Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua. The Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head said public awareness on tyre safety remains low, with many unaware of how to assess tyre conditions, such as reading the tread wear indicator (TWI) or checking expiry dates. "Many only change their tyres when they are completely worn out or when there is a puncture. A common myth is that if the tyre still looks thick, there's no need to change it, without checking the actual age or rubber condition. "There are also those who believe second-hand tyres or bald tyres provide better speed, which is a very dangerous misconception," he told Bernama. Law said the typical lifespan of a motorcycle tyre is between three to five years from the date of manufacture. However, for high-usage scenarios such as food delivery riders, tyres may need to be replaced every 1.5 to 2 years. "Tyres that are safe for daily use should have treads with good grip, especially in wet conditions, compatible with the road surface, have durable construction, and possess the appropriate speed and load index for the motorcycle used," he said. Law said a tread depth of less than 1.6mm indicates that the tyre needs to be replaced, while a tread level that is flush with the TWI mark signifies the tyre is already worn out. "Small cracks, bulges, or hardening of the tyre are signs of ageing or damage. Air pressure should also be checked weekly, based on the manufacturer's specifications," he said. He also suggested that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) take a more proactive approach to tyre safety education campaigns, including periodic inspections and mandating the use of tyres that comply with safety standards. Meanwhile, civil servant Mohd Fairuz Shah Rezza Mustafha, 39, believes motorcyclists should take the initiative to understand tyre safety features rather than relying solely on mechanics. "As a rider, we are closest to our ride. Therefore, tyre safety monitoring should start with us. I prefer to inspect my tyres myself, as it gives me more confidence when riding," he said. Mohd Fairuz, who rides a Honda RS150R as his primary vehicle for both commuting and convoy activities said he doesn't mind spending more for high-quality tyres that he feels confident using every day. "I believe branded tyres offer a high level of safety assurance as a result of extensive research and development, as well as rigorous testing to ensure every detail of the design is truly safe," he added. - Bernama
The Star
17-05-2025
- The Star
Suspend offenders' licence
PETALING JAYA: Those caught for reckless driving, especially under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), should be immediately suspended from driving to avert any further risk to road users, say road safety experts. Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia said this proactive measure will safeguard other road users while awaiting the legal outcome of such cases. He argued that allowing those on bail to continue driving will still be risky as the effects of substance abuse may last for several hours or days. 'It also serves as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. There should be legislation that empowers the Road Transport Department (JPJ) or police to temporarily suspend the driving licence of those suspected of DUI,' Law said, adding that transportation companies also have an obligation to ensure their drivers stay clean. 'There should be policies where the company does a background search on a candidate prior to employment,' Law said. Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh agreed that companies should be responsible in the hiring of competent drivers. He said under the Land Public Transport Agency's Industry Code of Practice guidelines, all operators are required to have safety officers, including smaller businesses with fewer than five permits. 'A safety officer should routinely monitor drivers and bar them from driving if they are suspected of being involved with substance abuse,' said Suret, who is also a former chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. He argued that all forms of reckless driving should be penalised, regardless of whether they involve substance abuse. 'Why only DUI? Drivers who blatantly disregard safety should also be liable. Tailgating, beating traffic lights, or weaving between traffic are all dangerous acts,' he said, adding that it was appropriate for the magistrate to suspend the licence of a lorry driver who was charged over a crash that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit officers on May 13. Criminologist Datuk P. Sundramoorthy said DUI remains a serious threat, and it is vital to have more integrated solutions, even in the face of recent amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987. Sundramoorthy said public education campaigns should go beyond fear-based messages and emphasise the consequences of DUI. 'It requires a comprehensive approach. Legal penalties must be consistently enforced and complemented by rehabilitation and public education. We can learn from global best practices and tailor them to local needs. 'Rehabilitation should also be part of the strategy. First-time or non-violent offenders should be required to attend mandatory treatment and counselling. However, the real challenge lies in enforcement consistency and public attitude,' he said.
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Barnama
Employers Hiring Drivers With Criminal Records Should Face Strict Penalties
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- Employers or companies that allow individuals with criminal records or repeated traffic offences to continue working as drivers must face heavy punishment, according to an expert. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said strict action was necessary to encourage employers to conduct more thorough background screenings before hiring drivers, especially for heavy vehicles such as buses and lorries. 'Employers must not hire drivers without proper screening. If there is negligence and the driver is subsequently involved in a serious incident, the employer should be penalised with fines or, in extreme cases of negligence, imprisonment should also be considered. 'Essentially, employers should not take a lax attitude purely for profit while ignoring road user safety,' he told Bernama. Earlier today, nine members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) were killed and two others seriously injured in a crash involving an FRU truck and another lorry carrying stones along Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan, Perak. Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the 45-year-old lorry driver who was arrested had six criminal records, including drug-related offences. Law also questioned whether the lorry company involved had conducted routine vehicle inspections at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) every six months. He said preliminary investigations revealed that the lorry had suffered a malfunction that caused the steering system to fail, a problem unlikely to occur if the vehicle had undergone periodic inspections. "The issue of enforcement has long been raised, but firm action is only seen after accidents or serious incidents occur, and this raises the question of whether a preventive approach alone is insufficient. Instead, heavy penalties such as a minimum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment of more than 10 years should be imposed to ensure employers are deterred and do not take things lightly," he said.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Calls grow for tougher penalties on reckless drivers
Calls are mounting for longer jail terms and harsher penalties to be imposed on those who cause serious injuries through reckless driving, following such cases which have gone viral. Road safety advocates and legal experts believe that more must be done to ensure offenders face the full brunt of the law instead of being let off with "slap on the wrist" punishments. This comes after a Sunday incident where a motorcyclist and his wife were severely injured after being sideswiped by a Nissan Navara on the North-South Expressway. Police are investigating whether the pickup truck driver was racing with other vehicles, after dashcam videos emerged on social media, suggesting that a "race" between pickup trucks occurred shortly before the incident. A day earlier, a foreigner driving a Singapore-registered Maserati caused a fatal four-vehicle collision on Johor's Second Link Expressway. The driver made an illegal U-turn, crashing into the central divider, sending metal shards into the opposite lane, which fatally struck a 26-year-old motorcyclist. Road safety expert Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said although penalties exist under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act, their deterrent value remained doubtful without strong enforcement. He said stringent rules might fail to influence driver behaviour if the risk of detection or punishment was perceived as low. "Section 42(1) indeed imposes penalties — up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM15,000 — but their deterrent value is dubious. The main problem is not just the degree of the penalty but also its uniform application. "Therefore, even if the present fines seem appropriate on paper, without strong enforcement they will not be enough in reality." Acknowledging that legal penalties alone may not bring about sustained behavioural change, Law said they could still have a deterrent effect, especially for repeat or high-risk offenders. "Penalties combined with effective enforcement and public awareness help boost road safety results. "Visible police presence, speed cameras and roadside checks, for instance, reinforce the message that risky driving has consequences. "Legal deterrents must be a component of a more comprehensive system promoting regular safe driving practices." Law also backed mandatory prison sentences for reckless drivers who cause injuries. Former Malaysian Institute for Road Safety (Miros) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said current punishments were no longer effective. Lee, now chairman of the non-governmental organisation Alliance for A Safe Community, said the overall discipline of road users had worsened and reckless drivers who caused either serious injury or death should no longer be allowed to escape with just fines or short-term jail sentences. "If an accident has led to serious injury, the driver should be jailed — and certainly for a longer period. I think there must be mandatory imprisonment. Otherwise, these people will never learn. If it's just a month or a few days in jail, it's not adequate." Lawyer Datuk N. Sivananthan said while mandatory imprisonment was in place for those causing death through reckless driving, he argued that the penalties for causing serious injury still fell short. "Penalties for causing death through reckless driving or while under the influence of alcohol are very serious, ranging from three to 10 years, or even 10 to 15 years (of imprisonment) in some cases. "However, when it comes to reckless driving that causes serious injury but not death, the sentences tend to be lenient. "This is where enforcement, the authorities and courts need to impose harsher sentences to address the issue effectively." He called for stronger enforcement of traffic laws, particularly when it comes to the immediate suspension of driving licences for those charged with reckless driving. This, he said, was because reckless driving was a widespread issue that impacted public safety. Lawyer Roger Fernandez also called for an urgent review and amendment of Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act. He said these penalties were outdated and did not reflect the actual risk posed by dangerous and reckless drivers. "The punishments don't seem to deter people from driving recklessly. They need to be reviewed. "If the offence is serious, the consequences must be serious too."
