Motorcyclists account for two-thirds of road deaths as govt targets 50% cut by 2030
MOTORCYCLISTS and pillion riders accounted for nearly two-thirds of Malaysia’s 6,537 road deaths last year despite motorcycles making up only around 14 per cent of vehicles involved in crashes, highlighting the disproportionate risk faced by two-whee...
Motorcycle riders and their pillion passengers made up roughly two-thirds of Malaysia's 6,537 road deaths in 2025, despite motorcycles only constituting around 14% of vehicles involved in crashes. This data, shared by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, underscores the heightened vulnerability of motorcyclists and pillion riders.
Zahid emphasized that conventional road safety methods are insufficient, and more targeted interventions are required for high-risk groups alongside broader measures encompassing infrastructure, enforcement, education, health, and urban planning. He highlighted that although motorcycles comprise merely 14% of crash-involved vehicles, they account for nearly two-thirds of all road fatalities, amounting to almost two out of every three deaths.
The Malaysian government aims to reduce road crash fatalities by 50% by 2030, necessitating a more cohesive national road safety strategy. The socioeconomic impact of road deaths in 2025 was estimated at approximately RM30 billion using the Value of Statistical Life (VOSL) method. Zahid, who leads the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Congestion (JK-MKKJR), noted that the committee recognized the elevated fatality rate among workers commuting to and from work, which was 2.4 times higher than industrial accident fatalities, based on SOCSO data.
The committee plans to reinforce the Ops Cegah initiative via collaboration between SOCSO, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Road Transport Department, and employers, utilizing data to pinpoint high-risk organizations and areas for preventive measures. Furthermore, the government will introduce the Road Safety Framework Programme (SAFERO) in phases, involving the Transport Ministry, Petronas, the Land Public Transport Agency, JPJ, and MIROS to enhance heavy vehicle safety through defensive driving, fatigue management, and monitoring driver behavior.
The committee also discussed traffic dispersal plans for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, aiming to ensure the project integrates smoothly with existing public transport systems to avoid new congestion hotspots.
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