Illegal racers among 115 motorcyclists killed in road crashes in S’wak from January to August
SIBU: ‘Mat Rempit’, or illegal racers, are among 115 motorcyclists who died in road crashes in the state in the first eight months of this year, and a strategy has been drawn up to deal with the situation.
Sarawak Road Safety Department (JKJR) deputy director Redzuan Hamdan said they devised the strategy as the number of fatalities among motorcyclists is considered huge because the total number of deaths on the road from January to August this year is 315.
As for motorcyclists who sustained serious injuries during this period, the number stood at 123, and those with light injuries at 223.
“Motorcyclists are the main contributor to fatal accidents.
“Mischievous youngsters getting involved in ‘Mat Rempit’ or illegal racing activities also contributed to the number of deaths on the road.”
Redzuan said besides using corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community-based programmes (CBP), their strategy is to involve organisations, including government agencies, to get youngsters to shun illegal racing and wear proper helmets, as well as fastening them.
He told The Borneo Post that rolling out CBP in collaboration with village security and development committee (JKKK) alone was insufficient to deliver the desired impact.
“By involving organisations, we give talks, and enlisting the workers, who are parents themselves, to disseminate the information to their children.
“Parents are in the best position to talk and advise their family members.
“This is because they know better the movement of their children,” he quipped.
Redzuan added that they would continue to approach youngsters through JKKKs or religious institutions such as the suraus.
“We are reengineering the way we approach the target group to disseminate safety information.”
From past experiences, he noticed that incorporating some demonstrations such as not wearing half-cut helmets would certainly grab eyeballs.
“The thing is seeing is believing and demonstration would be proof enough as to why they need to adopt a safe behaviour on the road, including using proper safety attire such as reflective vest and Sirim-approved helmets.”
He pointed out that road safety campaigns at roadsides would also help create awareness, but due to time constraint, it was difficult to give in-depth advice or demonstrations.