Improper usage, non-approved helmets main cause of road deaths

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SIBU: A total of 115 road fatalities involving motorcyclists were recorded in Sarawak during the past eight months, with 123 serious injuries.

The state Road Safety Department (JKJR) deputy director Redzuan Hamdan, who quoted the statistics from the police yesterday, singled out among the major causative factors of deaths were improper use of helmets and usage of non-approved helmets.

“From January till August this year, the total road fatalities reported in Sarawak stood at 315. Motorcyclists were the main contributors to fatal accidents.

“The total number of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists for the period in the state was 115 while 123 suffered serious injuries.

“A total of 223 suffered light injuries from the mishaps,” Redzuan told The Borneo Post when asked on the importance of road safety awareness campaign.

Allianz Malaysia took to the streets on Thursday, getting motorcyclists to fasten their helmets as research had shown that this could reduce the risk of death by nearly 40 per cent during accidents.

To drive home the point, they distributed 200 buckle-up reminder stickers and 600 specially designed reflective stickers during its 27th Road Safety Advocacy Campaign 2012 at Pedada Road here.

On top of that, the organisation also sponsored the exchange of 50 unsafe helmets that were either too old or non-Sirim approved with Sirim-approved ones.

Explaining the proper way of fastening helmets, Redzuan said there should be a gap of about one finger from the chin.

“If it is too tight, it can create discomfort and even suffocation. On the other hand, if it is too loose, it would be dislodged upon impact.

“Proper fastening of helmets could help save one’s life,” he stressed.

He warned that while half-cut helmets might appear trendy, they were not safe as they were never meant to be used for riding.

Asked on speeding, he agreed it was another cause of fatalities among motorcyclists.

He stressed that it was most important for people to be aware of the limitations of their machines, saying ‘Kup-chai’ or small motorcycles could become very unstable at high speeds.

Meanwhile, in an earlier interview, the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) Sibu branch deputy chief Ganda Jirap said they had started inspection on tyres and motorcycle shops to ensure that operators toe the line.

The new requirement enforced Sept 1 this year requires every tyre to bear standard safety labels of ‘MS’ or ‘DOT’ or ‘E’ while all helmets must bear the standard safety labels of ‘MS’ and ‘E’.