No more excuses, Chan tells bikers
BY SA’ODAH ELIAS
PUTRAJAYA: Bikers be warned. The Government has had enough of their irresponsible antics and will launch a crackdown on motorcyclists who disregard the law, especially the safety helmet ruling.
Their excuse for not wearing helmets was that the headgear was “cumbersome”, “unnecessary” or “too expensive”.
When enforcement officers start to haul up motorcyclists and pillion riders without helmets or who don’t fasten the strap, they will not accept any excuses.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the blitz would be part of a comprehensive plan by the Government – which would include education programmes and campaigns involving community leaders and the media – to reduce the number of deaths among motorcyclists and pillion riders.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/Phototakeraptereosaurus/n_pg03bikers.jpg
“We are finalising details of the programme. The main issue is the budget because the education and campaign programmes require a big sum of money. Once it is completed, I will present it to the Cabinet for endorsement.”
A total of 6,223 lives were lost on the road last year and of that number, 58% were motorcyclists or pillion riders.
“We need to educate them that the helmet ruling is not to make life difficult for them but to ensure their personal safety,” he told reporters after hosting his ministry’s Hari Raya open house yesterday.
Previous experience showed that enforcement itself would not suffice as there were many quarters who would defend the right of motorcyclists and pillion riders not to wear helmets, especially in rural areas.
“One particular case happened in Kinta Valley not long ago, where a Member of Parliament for that area objected to efforts to enforce the helmet ruling,” Chan said.
“Some community leaders too are sending the wrong message by riding without helmets,” he said.
BY SA’ODAH ELIAS
PUTRAJAYA: Bikers be warned. The Government has had enough of their irresponsible antics and will launch a crackdown on motorcyclists who disregard the law, especially the safety helmet ruling.
Their excuse for not wearing helmets was that the headgear was “cumbersome”, “unnecessary” or “too expensive”.
When enforcement officers start to haul up motorcyclists and pillion riders without helmets or who don’t fasten the strap, they will not accept any excuses.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the blitz would be part of a comprehensive plan by the Government – which would include education programmes and campaigns involving community leaders and the media – to reduce the number of deaths among motorcyclists and pillion riders.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/Phototakeraptereosaurus/n_pg03bikers.jpg
“We are finalising details of the programme. The main issue is the budget because the education and campaign programmes require a big sum of money. Once it is completed, I will present it to the Cabinet for endorsement.”
A total of 6,223 lives were lost on the road last year and of that number, 58% were motorcyclists or pillion riders.
“We need to educate them that the helmet ruling is not to make life difficult for them but to ensure their personal safety,” he told reporters after hosting his ministry’s Hari Raya open house yesterday.
Previous experience showed that enforcement itself would not suffice as there were many quarters who would defend the right of motorcyclists and pillion riders not to wear helmets, especially in rural areas.
“One particular case happened in Kinta Valley not long ago, where a Member of Parliament for that area objected to efforts to enforce the helmet ruling,” Chan said.
“Some community leaders too are sending the wrong message by riding without helmets,” he said.
