Arguing that the issue was not the real reason for banning Dego, DAP’s Rajiv Rishyakaran challenged Liow to back his statement in light of statistics that are available.
He said the facts prove that there is no basis for the transport minister’s rationale in asking Dego Ride to stop providing its services.
“The reason cited by minister Liow Tiong Lai for banning Dego, that is ‘motorcycle safety’, is irresponsibly misleading. He cannot prove Dego riders are more at risk than the average motorcyclist.
“The opposite is likely true. According to statistics by the Malaysia Institute for Road Safety Research (Miros), 66% of motorcycle accidents happen in rural areas,” the Bukit Gasing assemblyman said in a statement released today, highlighting that the Dego Ride service covers urban areas.
He added that Miros statistics also show that 33% of fatalities in motorcycle accidents are also due to riders and their passengers (pillion) not wearing helmets.
Hence, Rajiv called for the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to instead tackle the real problems associated with motorcycle safety and not play political double standard games with Dego.
“Instead of hunting down Dego riders, JPJ is better off addressing the high number of motorcyclists not wearing helmets if its honest aim is to reduce accidents and fatalities.
“And it is not only rural riders that don’t use helmets, this problem is also prevalent in urban areas,” Rajiv said.
On the safety of Dego Ride service customers, Rajiv pointed out that Miros statistics also show that less than 20% of casualties in motorcycle accidents involve the pillion (passenger).
“With over 80% of the casualties being the riders themselves, this also goes to show that Dego rides are no more at risk from the average motorcycle ride.
“The minister should be concerned about motorcyclist’s safety but he should go after the real reasons, and apply real effort to achieve this,” Rajiv said, adding that Liow must also admit he has failed to deal with the issue of motorcycle safety in his tenure as transport minister.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that the cabinet had agreed with the transport ministry on the banning of the Dego Ride service and left it to the ministry to explain to the public why the service had to cease.