Jean Todt, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for road safety, said Malaysia was setting an example in curbing the high rate of motorcycle crashes, described as the leading cause of road fatalities in developing nations.
“This is an excellent decision by the Malaysian government focusing its initiative on one of the most vulnerable parts of the road safety issue,” he told FMT.
Todt expressed his support for Malaysia’s plan during a meeting with transport minister Wee Ka Siong and Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Wong Shaw Voon after the UN High-Level meeting on road safety in New York last week.
Based on police records, a total of 80,952 motorcycle users have been killed in Malaysia since 2001. Up to August last year, 70 out of 100 deaths on the road were motorcycle users, making Malaysia closer to replacing Thailand for the world’s worst death rate for motorcyclists.
“Anything that can be done to make motorcycles safer is to be encouraged, and this ABS system, if it succeeds anywhere near the percentages that the study has come up with, is invaluable,” said Todt, the former supremo of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
However, the former rally co-driver cautioned that the ABS should not be considered as the definitive safety measure for motorcycle riding.
“It must not be in any way a replacement to wearing a helmet,” he said.
Todt, who has lost friends in road mayhems, is also urging global motorcycle manufacturers to comply with Malaysia’s vehicle safety regulations.
“Automobiles have historically adopted the most important safety devices (for cars) – seatbelts, airbags, ABS, etc. In the end, no one questions these anymore after a few years.
“What needs to be ensured is that the same system of standards be applied to the cars and motorcycles in the developing world as in the developed world. And this will require work on both the sides of the manufacturers and the governments,” said Todt, who is also one of the founders of L’Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière which is devoted to medical research for brain and spinal cord disorders.
Two months ago, Wee had announced that the law will be amended within two years to push for the compulsory installation of ABS for all new motorcycles with 150cc engine capacity and above and later to be expanded to “kapcai” models.
He claimed that the ABS may assist in reducing crashes and fatalities involving motorcyclists by 30%.
“The main factor of motorcycle crashes in Malaysia is skidding or being unable to avoid a crash while riding, the majority of them due to ineffective brake systems,” he had said.
“Therefore, ABS as anti-skid technology will help to prevent motorcycles from skidding, crashing and losing control and improve the safety of motorcycles.”