70% of road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists, but only 13% of accidents caused by them – VTAREC

Not surprisingly, motorcyclists and pillion riders account for the highest number of road accident fatalities in Malaysia each year, making up to 70% of the annual average of 6,000 deaths.

However, findings from a study carried out by the Vehicle Theft and Accident Reduction Council of Malaysia (VTAREC) show that while the number of motorcycle-related fatalities was 12 times higher than those involving cars, only 13% of accident cases were caused by motorcyclists, The Star reports.

According to VTAREC coordinator Mas Tina Abdul Hamid, the study conducted by the council revealed that 67% of accidents were caused by cars, while 20% were caused by commercial vehicles.“Often, bikers are blamed for accidents, but here we have learnt that it is car drivers who need greater awareness on road safety and need to be educated on defensive driving,” she said.

70% of road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists, but only 13% of accidents caused by them – VTAREC

She said that the findings also revealed that the data regarding road accidents and fatalities is alarming. “On average, one motorist is killed every 80 minutes. Human error is the primary cause of road crashes, making up to eight out of the 10 factors that cause traffic crashes. The yearly deaths from accidents can fill graves that may require space the size of six football fields,” she said.

The statistics on road accidents was part of the data set revealed by VTAREC in its briefing held in conjunction with the soft launch of the VTAREC 2025 public awareness campaign on vehicle theft and road accidents. Other areas that were highlighted included vehicle models that were most involved in accidents last year.

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