Kuala lumpur: The government, through the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, is committed to reducing road accident fatalities by 50 percent by 2030, with a particular focus on motorcycle users. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the need for coordinated policies and strengthened accountability among ministries and agencies to achieve a measurable decrease in deaths and serious injuries resulting from road accidents.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, last year alone saw a tragic loss of 6,537 lives due to road accidents, equating to 18 deaths per day. Alarmingly, motorcycle riders and their pillion passengers accounted for about 66 percent of these fatalities, despite motorcycles constituting only 14 percent of the total vehicles involved in accidents. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that nearly two-thirds of road fatalities involve motorcycles, underscoring the urgency for targeted interventions.
Ahmad Zahid pointed out that the government must move beyond conventional approaches and adopt strategies tailored to high-risk groups. This involves addressing infrastructure safety, healthcare, education, enforcement, and urban planning comprehensively. He also noted that the socioeconomic losses from road fatalities last year were estimated at RM30 billion, illustrating that investment in road safety is crucial for saving lives and preserving the national economy.
The committee has agreed to implement the Road Safety Framework Programme (SAFERO) in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). SAFERO aims to enhance the competency and professionalism of heavy vehicle drivers through industry expertise in defensive driving, fatigue management, and driver behavior monitoring.
Additionally, Ahmad Zahid mentioned the strengthening of Op Cegah, a programme by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO), in collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police, Road Transport Department, and employers. This initiative will utilize data to identify high-risk organizations and areas, given that the fatality rate from commuting accidents in 2024 was significantly higher than industrial accidents. Op Cegah seeks to foster a culture of occupational accident prevention among employers and employees.
Emphasizing that road safety is a collective responsibility, Ahmad Zahid stated that while the government can provide the necessary policies, infrastructure, and enforcement, a safety culture can only flourish if industries, employers, and road users actively participate. The true measure of success, he noted, is the number of lives saved rather than the number of campaigns or operations conducted.