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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Miros: 12 motorcyclists die on roads daily
KUALA LUMPUR: A motorcyclist dies every two hours in Malaysia, a rate that road safety experts say should no longer be treated as normal. Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) Human Factors and Road User Behavioural Centre director Ir Ts Azhar Hamzah said motorcyclists continue to dominate road fatality statistics, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of all deaths. "Just imagine 12 people die every day. Every two hours, one person dies riding a motorcycle," said Azhar during the Allianz Malaysia Media Forum held at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral on Tuesday. He said many of these deaths were preventable if the country took proactive steps in education, training and behaviour change. "The best safety for motorcyclists is prevention. You cannot rely only on post-incident measures. The best is prevention," he said. Azhar said motorcycles were originally intended for short-distance travel but have evolved into a primary means of transport across long distances in Malaysia, despite their limitations. "A motorcycle is unstable. It only becomes stable if it's moving at least 8km per hour. The engine and wheels help balance the forces to keep it upright. The faster it moves, the more stable it becomes, but that doesn't mean it should be ridden fast," he said. He described the physical vulnerability of riders as a major concern. "Other than the handlebars, it's just your body. When you ride, your legs are the most exposed. Your head is the highest point. That's why it needs protection," he said. Azhar said Malaysia's road culture has normalised risky behaviours such as weaving through traffic and speeding, adding that such actions remain a legal grey area under current road regulations. "In Malaysia, this has become the culture. Riders move through gaps in roads to maintain stability. Whether it's right or wrong is unclear, as even the Road Transport Act is a bit vague," he said. He said changing rider behaviour and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) were urgent priorities. "If we can't eliminate motorcycles, then we must control them through better roads, more stable motorcycle designs, and stronger rules," he said. He warned that injury ratios in Malaysia were far higher than in developed countries, where the ratio might be one death to 30 serious injuries. "In our country, that number could be one to 50. From that 50, many suffer permanent disabilities and require lifelong assistance. Not just them, but their families too," he said. Azhar also singled out gig economy riders as being particularly vulnerable. "P-hailing riders spend five times longer on the road compared with regular motorcycle users. So, the risk is higher," he said. He added that slowing down was one of the fastest ways to reduce motorcycle fatalities. "If we reduce speed, we get an immediate reward. If you ride slower, you lower your risk right away," he said. Azhar urged government agencies, private companies and the public to act without delay. "If you ride a motorcycle, act now. Don't wait," he said.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Johor Bahru collision claims lives of e-hailing driver and Singapore passenger
Find out what's new on ST website and app. JOHOR BAHRU - An e-hailing driver and his passenger from Singapore were killed after the car they were in crashed into a lorry here. Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the incident was believed to have happened at 11.27am on July 20 when the car was heading towards Skudai from Johor Baru. 'The accident is believed to have occurred when the 48-year-old e-hailing driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the rear left side of a lorry. 'The driver sustained severe head injuries and died at the scene. 'Meanwhile, the passenger, a 27-year-old man from Singapore who also sustained serious head injuries, died while receiving treatment at the hospital,' he said in a statement here on July 20. He added that the lorry driver, a 28-year-old local man, was not injured. He said the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for causing death due to reckless and dangerous driving. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Priority for singles, higher quota for second-timer families to kick in from HDB's July BTO exercise Singapore 1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung Singapore 2-in-1 airport police robot on trial can patrol and serve as PMD with ride-hailing feature Asia Rains from Typhoon Wipha batter Hong Kong as it heads for mainland China Business Crypto exchange Tokenize to shut down Singapore operations Asia Tearful relatives await news of victims in Vietnam boat capsize Singapore ComfortDelDro to discipline driver who flung relative's wheelchair out of taxi Singapore Minor Issues: Why I didn't send my daughters to my brand-name primary school The Straits Times has reached out to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further comment. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Collision claims lives of e-hailing driver and passenger in Johor Baru
JOHOR BARU: An e-hailing driver and his Singaporean passenger were killed after the car they were in crashed into a lorry here. Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the incident was believed to have happened at 11.27am on Sunday (July 20) when the car was heading towards Skudai from Johor Baru. "The accident is believed to have occurred when the 48-year-old e-hailing driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the rear left side of a lorry. "The driver sustained severe head injuries and died at the scene. "Meanwhile, the passenger, a 27-year-old Singaporean man who also sustained serious head injuries, died while receiving treatment at the hospital," he said in a statement here on Sunday. He added that the lorry driver, a 28-year-old local man, was not injured. He said the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for causing death due to reckless and dangerous driving. ACP Balveer also urged anyone with information related to the case to contact the investigating officer, Inspector Zulhisyam Aziz, at 019-7432966.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Three injured in Ipoh night market accident only suffered minor injuries, say cops
IPOH: The three individuals who were injured after a car ploughed through several stalls at the First Garden night market on Friday (July 11) are in good condition, says Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad. He reported that all three sustained only minor injuries and did not require hospital admission. "The case is being investigated under Section 43 (1) of the Road Transport Act. The driver of the car, an 80-year-old man, also sustained minor injuries," ACP Abang Zainal Abidin said. ALSO READ: Car ploughs through Ipoh night market, injuring three women The incident occurred around 8.25pm when the driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle. Jelapang assemblyman Cheah Pou Hian confirmed that a hawker and two patrons, all women, were injured and sent to the hospital for treatment. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Teenager killed after m-bike crashes into car in Perak
IPOH: A 16-year-old boy was killed after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a car at Bandar Baru Setia Awan Perdana in Sitiawan, Manjung. Manjung OCPD Asst Comm Hasbullah Abd Rahman said the teenager had knocked into a stray dog prior to losing control of the motorcycle on Jalan Utama at about 8.55pm on Thursday (July 17). "After knocking into the animal, it caused the motorcyclist from Pekan Gurney, to swerve to the opposite lane before crashing into the car. "He died on the spot," said ACP Hasbullah in a statement on Friday (July 18). "The driver of the car, an 18-year-old from Bandar Baru Setia Awan Perdana, sustained light injuries," he said. ACP Hasbullah said the matter is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act. "Those with information of the incident are urged to come forward or contact investigating officer Insp Nur Syafiqah Baharudin at 012-637 5962 or 05-689 9072," he added.
