KOTA KINABALU: The helmet exchange programme organized by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd is a good effort to demonstrate the benefit of the use of helmet.
City Hall Mayor, Datuk Abidin Madingkir said it had been reported that more than half of total number of traffic fatalities were deaths related to motorcycle accidents.
“Road accident statistics shows that in 2005, casualties from motorcycle accidents constituted 66 per cent or 31,222 from the 47,012 traffic accident casualties in Malaysia.
“Hence, the helmet exchange programme today is also a good effort by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, to demonstrate its responsibility as a corporate firm as well as promoting the use of safe helmet,” he said, adding that the correct and proper helmet fitting can save lives.
Motorcyclists and pillion riders to ensure they fasten their helmets properly before hitting the road, urged Abidin during the closing of Yamaha Trans Borneo Adventure 2011 at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.
General manager, sales and marketing of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd, Leong King Choon who also attended the closing ceremony yesterday said the helmet exchange programme was in conjunction with their adventure convoy that started in Kuching on September 18, and ended here yesterday.
He said the company was giving out limited new helmets to their customers in the city in exchange for worn out or unsafe helmets in an effort to promote the use of Sirim-approved helmets for road safety to reduce road accident fatality amongst motorcyclists.
“We are giving away 50 new helmets in this exchange programme because we believe with the right attire, proper use of helmet, a well maintained machine, good riding habits, awareness and discipline, the number of road accidents and fatality rate of motorcyclists and pillion riders will drop in our country,” said Leong.
The helmet exchange programme was also held in Kuching during the kick-off.