KUALA LUMPUR: Road accidents in Malaysia continued to rise this year after hitting a record 790,614 cases last year, with 273,668 crashes already recorded between January and April, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said police statistics showed a worrying upward trend in road accidents over the past three years, with cases increasing from 739,877 in 2023 to 778,159 in 2024 before rising further to 790,614 in 2025, an average annual increase of 3.39%.
"Based on the analysis, passenger cars remain the dominant vehicle type involved in road accidents, accounting for between 60% and 70% of all cases," he said in a parliamentary written reply on Thursday (July 9).
He said motorcycles continued to record a steady rise in accidents, with an average annual increase of 5.83%.
"Although motorcycle accidents are fewer than those involving passenger cars, they account for more than 65% of road fatalities every year," he said.
Loke said bicycle accidents remained the lowest category and stayed unchanged over the period, contributing only 0.5% to 0.6% of total road accidents annually.
He said the government remained committed to enforcing laws against drink-driving and ensuring compliance with road safety regulations.
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"The authority to determine the appropriate charges based on the facts and evidence of each case lies with the Attorney General as the Public Prosecutor under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution," he said.
He added that the government is studying amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 to empower courts to order offenders convicted of serious road traffic offences to compensate accident victims or their next of kin.
"The proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the country’s road safety framework by not only punishing offenders but also providing a clearer mechanism for victims and their families to obtain compensation," he said.
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Loke said the proposed compensation mechanism would not replace civil action, insurance claims, or other legal remedies, but would instead give courts specific powers under the Act to order compensation during criminal proceedings.
He added that the government is also reviewing the Act on an ongoing basis to ensure penalties remain proportionate to the seriousness of offences and serve as an effective deterrent.
Loke also said the Kejara demerit point system would continue to play an important role in identifying high-risk drivers and discouraging repeat offenders before dangerous behaviour results in the loss of lives.
