Kawasaki Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (KMSB) together with co-organizer, the Malaysia Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association (MMSDA) got together to organize this road safety campaign in view of the worrying number of accidents that is ever increasing year after year, especially those involve motorcyclists.
With the support from other corporate and government entities like the Ministry of road works (KKR), Highway Institute of Malaysia (LLM), The Highway Joint Venture Project Ltd (PLUS), Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Road Safety Department (JKJR), Road Safety Research Institute of Malaysia (MIROS), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Tokio Marine Insurance (Malaysia) Ltd, AEON Credit Service, KHI Helmet, Bridgestone and Nestle Malaysia, this event was successfully launched today by the Minister of Transport, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai.
In his opening speech, Mr. Ahmad Faez bin Yan Sri Yahaya, Executive Chairman of Kawasaki Motors Malaysia states that this campaign which coincide with the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration is the third that KMSB and its partners have organized. “Every year, especially towards festive season, road accident will increase due to the increase number of vehicles on the road and highways. It has become a norm for Malaysian to take this opportunity to have a vacation or travel back to their respective home town to be with their family and relatives to celebrate festivity like the coming Chinese New Year. But during the journey to their destination, safety aspect, driving or riding attitude must take priority. This will avoid or at least reduce the risk of accident when we are on the road or highway. According to statistics that was reported by MASAAM, in the last 10 years, from 2007 to 2016, total road accidents in Malaysia is 73,954 where 40,609 or 63% involved motorcyclists. This figure is really high and it was also reported that 80% of those accidents are due to recklessness or human error.” Ahmad Faez further adds that “kawasaki Motors Malaysia recently introduced a program called “Kawasaki Safety & Responsible Riding Course” for all Kawasaki Motorcycle user. The objective of the program is to educate and teach the riders to be sensitive, ready and be more responsive when they are on the road. This will hopefully reduce the accident rate”.
As part of KMSB Corporate Social Responsiblity (CSR), this campaign which is themed “Think Safe, Ride Responsibly” emphasizes on creating awareness for the motorcyclists on safety aspects like safety riding aspects, the importance of having proper motorcycle maintenance and wearing visible or reflective clothing or jacket. During this campaign, Kawasaki is offering a free 16 points check on every motorcycle regardless of the make. The checks or inspection would be done by trained technicians from Kawasaki.
Also available are booths set up by government agencies and corporate partners to promote safe and responsible riding.