RAWANG: At least 10 motorcyclists die on Malaysian roads everyday due to lack of awareness on road safety.
Studies from Bukit Aman showed in 2011, there were 129,017 accidents involving motorcyclists with 6,349 fatalities, of which 4,169 or 65 per cent were motorcyclists.
In 2010, there were 6,872 road accidents of which 4,036 or 59 per cent were motorcyclists.
As of May 31 this year, there were 39,023 accidents with 2,779 deaths, with motorcyclists making up 1,650 or 59 per cent of them.
"We learnt there were many deaths among motorcyclists because they often go against traffic rules," said Federal Traffic Police chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusop after officiating a road safety awareness campaign at the Great Wall Plastic Industries (GWPI) Bhd factory yesterday.
Police found that 60 per cent of motorcyclists like to run the red lights, causing tragedies sometimes.
But not all motorcyclists should be blamed, said Abdul Aziz, as other road users caused accidents, too.
"Reckless driving from other motorists contributes to motorcyclists' death statistics as well. Other road users must be aware of motorcyclists because injuries sustained by them are more serious," he said.
He said more traffic safety awareness campaigns should be conducted by the police together with the private sector.
The campaign yesterday kicked--off to creating road safety awareness among factory workers.
During the event, Abdul Aziz handed over 10 safety jackets to workers who are motorcyclists before flagging them off, along with safety riders, for a convoy to Rawang town.
