PUTRAJAYA: The government, through the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, has set a target to reduce road accident fatalities by 50 per cent by 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said coordination of policies, resources and accountability among ministries and agencies would be strengthened so that every intervention is not only implemented, but results in a measurable reduction in deaths and serious injuries.
He said the move was important as 6,537 lives were lost due to road accidents last year, equivalent to 18 deaths a day.
More worryingly, he said motorcycle riders and pillion riders accounted for about 66 per cent of total fatalities, although motorcycles only represented 14 per cent of the total number of vehicles involved in accidents.
"This means almost two out of three road fatalities involve motorcycle riders or pillion riders,” Ahmad Zahid said in a statement after chairing the committee meeting on Monday (Aug 17).
More to come
