MAY 14, 2019

DR MILTON LUM

We Have The Third Highest Death

Rate from Road Accidents
Road traffic accidents lead to injuries and deaths affecting individuals, families and
communities. It burdens the healthcare delivery system with occupation of limited
hospital beds and utilization of resources, as well as results in loss of productivity and
income, with social and economic consequences. More than half of all road traffic deaths
usually involve adults aged between 15 and 44 years, who are often the family
breadwinners.

The cost of road traffic injuries have been estimated to account for about 1.5% of gross
national product (GNP) in middle-income countries and 2% in high-income countries.
The reasons for road traffic accidents are multiple and include rapid urbanization, poor
safety standards, lack of enforcement, people driving distracted or fatigued, influence of
psychoactive drugs and alcohol, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts or helmets.

Malaysian data

Malaysia has the third highest fatality rate from road traffic accidents in Asia and Asean,
behind Thailand and Vietnam. These fatality rates are similar to that of some African
countries. By comparison, the fatality rates in developed countries are all in single digits.
Transport accidents (5.4%) were the fourth most common cause of death in Malaysia in
2016, behind ischemic heart disease (13.2%), pneumonia (12.5%) and cerebrovascular
disease (6.9%). It was the third most common cause of death among men behind ischemic
heart disease and pneumonia, according to the Department of Statistics.

There has been no change in the Malaysian fatality rates since 2007. The Global Status
Report on Road Safety published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World
Bank in December 2018 reported that Malaysia had 7,152 deaths in 2016, of which 87%
were males and 13% females.

In the same year, there were 27,613,120 registered vehicles, comprising 13,123,638 cars
and four-wheeled light vehicles, 12,677,041 motorized two and three wheelers, 1,191,310
heavy trucks, 59,977 buses and 561,154 other vehicles. A total of 91% of motorcycle
riders wore helmets, but only 87% of their passengers. There was no restriction of the
number of children passengers on motorcycles.

Front seat belts were worn in 74% of car users and rear seat belts in 10%. There was no
trauma registry or assessment of emergency care systems. WHO estimates that for every
road traffic death, there are about 15 serious injuries and 70 minor injuries. This means
that numerous Malaysian families are affected annually by such deaths, serious injuries,
hospitalizations and disabilities. More than half of all road traffic deaths are
motorcyclists. A study of motorcycle fatalities reported that the majority were riders
(89%), aged 16 to 20 years (22.5%), and 90% of the motorcycles were privately owned.
Only 75% of the motorcyclists involved wore helmets.