Without helmets, passengers risk getting serious head injuries if they have an accident.
IT is not uncommon to see a motorcyclist zooming down a road without a safety helmet in suburban, rural and housing areas.
Some of these motorcyclists even include young children who are yet to qualify for a motorcycle licence.
Early last month, two young siblings were killed after a motorcycle they were riding crashed into a car at KM45 Jalan Hutan Melintang-Bagan Datuk in Hilir Perak.
The victims were a 15-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister who were on their way to school.
Under Malaysian law, the minimum age to get a motorcycle licence is 16.
Lack of enforcement in small towns, villages or housing areas results in many riding without helmets. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
A Form Three student from Bercham, Ipoh, who wished to be known as Alex, said an accident involving his older brother a few years ago had drilled into him the need to be careful.
“My older brother had just obtained his motorcycle licence and went out with his friends.
“He wore his helmet but took it off as he was about to arrive at his friend’s house.
“Unfortunately, as he was making a turn, a bicycle came out of nowhere and he hit the bike,” he said.
His brother was injured because he wasn’t wearing his helmet and received some stitches to his head.
A motorcyclist riding without a helmet in Tanjung Rambutan.
“Although it was not a serious injury, it made us worry about him.
“Since then, even if we ride the motorcycle to go to a nearby store, we will wear our helmets.
“The distance to the destination doesn’t matter.
“We can’t predict when accidents will happen but we can protect ourselves,” Alex added.
He said he had even seen parents riding a motorcycle but their children were not wearing helmets.
A motorcyclist flouting the law by transporting his child without a safety helmet.
“When we hear about car accidents, often the children are without safety belts on so their injuries are often worse than the adults.
“Now imagine if an accident involves motorcycle passengers.
“I don’t think it’s right to put a child at risk,” he said.
Administrator R. Subalan, 43, from Lim Garden, Ipoh, said he had seen both adults and schoolchildren riding motorcycles without helmets.
“While on my way to work, I saw a group of secondary school students riding their motorcycles without helmets.
“I asked them about their helmets and they replied that their school was nearby so there was no need to wear helmets.
Motorcyclists wearing their helmets while riding their bikes in Ipoh town.
“Similarly, adults going to nearby sundry shops don’t put on helmets or wear them without buckling the strap.
“I feel that they are taking their own safety too lightly,” he said.
Subalan also said his neighbour would sometimes mock him for wearing a helmet when going to a nearby grocery shop.
“They often say I am being overly cautious, which I find disturbing.
“Yes, the shop is only a two-minute ride from my house but a lot of things could happen during that short period of time.
“If wearing a helmet can provide me with extra protection, why shouldn’t I wear it?” he added.
He said his uncle died in his 30s when his motorcycle was hit by a car – he was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.
M. Preveen Kim, nine, getting his helmet fastened by his father L. Manimaran before riding a motorbike.
“When things like that happen, it changes your perspective.
“Two minutes might not sound like a long time but accidents can happen in seconds.
“I still have young children and my wife is not working.
“If something happens to me, how will my family survive?”
Logistics assistant Mohamad Abdul Muis Mohd Arif, 31, worries about the safety of young children in his housing area.
Mohamad Abdul Muis worries about the safety of some of the young children in his housing area.“I live in Parit Buntar and often see school-going children riding motorcycles.
“I want to advise them but I am concerned their parents might tell me to mind my own business.
“I don’t understand how some parents are okay with their children riding motorcycles unsupervised,” he said.
He added that it was important for parents and children to acknowledge the danger.
Mohammad Abdul Muis said the government needed to strictly enforce the law or impose higher fines.
“Until something drastic is done or until there is more awareness and a sense of responsibility, we will continue to see underaged children riding motorcycles without wearing helmets.
“Perhaps there needs be serious penalties.
“Along with the offending children, their parents or guardians should spend a night or two in a lock-up,” he said.
Creating awareness
Lee says parents should not allow their underaged children to ride motorcycles.Alliance for Safe Community (Ikatan) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the lack of police enforcement in small towns, villages or housing areas resulted in a number of people riding motorcycles without helmets.
“In rural areas, many do not wear helmets because they know there’s no enforcement.
“They feel it is unlikely for police officers to be sent to these areas just to enforce the law.
“Lacking this enforcement, the problem will continue to persist,” he added.
Lee said motorcycles were the main mode of transportation for people in suburban and rural areas.
“This is especially true for those in the lower-income group, or some who find it quicker and more convenient to get around with a motorcycle,” he said.
While he understood that for some motorcyclists, it could get quite cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear a helmet, especially on a hot day, he said they needed to make safety a way of life.
“One only needs to ask whether it is worth risking life and limb just so he or she can be comfortable while riding a motorcycle.
“If they don’t wear helmets, they are exposed to danger and could sustain serious head injuries, which can cause death, in a road accident.
“The chances of survival are often slim,” he said.
On the topic of underaged motorcyclists, Lee said it was another issue that the authorities needed to seriously look into.
“Again, the lack of enforcement creates opportunities for children to go for joyrides.”
He said some youth also liked to speed, which posed a danger to other motorists.
Parents also play an important role to ensure their children, especially those who are underaged, are not riding motorcycles, he said.
“Parents need to supervise their children and not allow their underaged children to ride motorcycles.
“If the children need to go somewhere, the parents need to be with them.
“It’s not just about a matter of law but common sense must prevail and everyone needs to value his or her life.”
Lee said Ikatan occasionally held road safety awareness campaigns.
“Wearing a helmet is very important while on the road, just like at construction sites.
“We go to the ground to disseminate information, explaining to the public the importance of wearing safety gear.
“I also hope the relevant authorities and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can continue to hold safety campaigns involving use of helmets, as we’d like to have everyone be conscious of their own safety.
“These campaigns to remind motorcyclists are in their own interests and safety,” he added.
Lee also said while the awareness campaigns help to educate people, awareness on road safety must also start at home.
“Family members need to have the right attitude for the safety of their kin.
“Sometimes, people just put on their helmets without buckling up or with the belt dangling. These small details matter.
“When it comes to safety, there shouldn’t be any compromise,” he said.
Comm Mohd Yusri says there were 1,187 accidents involving underage children over nine months.Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said between January and September, police issued 5,731 summonses to motorcyclists for not wearing helmets while riding their vehicles.
Of the total, Comm Mohd Yusri said 402 involved underaged children.
“Any underaged child found guilty of riding a motorcycle can be fined a maximum of RM2,000 under Section 39(1) of the Road Transport Act.
“Their parents or guardians are also liable to a fine of not more than RM2,000 or be jailed up to six months or both under Section 39 (5) of the same Act.”
He said any person found driving a car or riding a motorcycle without valid licences can be fined up to RM1,000 or jailed for one year or both.
“Parents or guardians have an important role to ensure the children in their care adhere to the traffic rules for their own safety.
“Do not allow those who don’t have licences to use their vehicles, be it a motorcycle or a car, as there can be legal implications.”
He said some 1,187 accidents involving underaged children were reported between January and September this year.
“Parents need to keep the keys to their vehicles in a place where their underaged children cannot access.”
Comm Mohd Yusri said parents, teachers and the public needed to be alert to these problems.
“School authorities could also play a role by locking motorcycles of students found to be riding without a licence.
“Children also need to be taught about the risks and implications of using the vehicles illegally.”
Comm Mohd Yusri said the police had also held 70 road safety programmes in schools throughout the state this year.
“Students who ride motorcycles to school must have a valid licence, road tax and insurance.
“This is to prevent problems if they were involved in any accidents.”
He said the people should inform the police whenever they see anyone riding motorcycles without their helmets on.
“We can only act and take the necessary action, including conducting patrols or operations, based on this information.”
