SHAH ALAM: There were 211 more motorcyclist deaths in the country during January-June this year compared with the same period last year, Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh said yesterday.

He said the increase in deaths was partly caused by the sharp increase in motorcyclist population as more road users traded their cars for the more economical bikes to offset the rise in fuel prices.

He said fatal accidents involving motorcyclists have increased even though cases of serious accidents have decreased.

"Among the reasons is because more road users are now using motorcycles due to the increase in fuel prices," Suret said after launching a rear seat belt and helmet advocacy campaign at the Batu 3 toll plaza here.

According to statistics, 1,939 motorcyclists died on the road in the first six months of this year against 1,728 in the corresponding period of 2007. Meanwhile, the registration of motorcycles went up by 26 per cent or about 120,000 during the same period.
Suret said 70 per cent of motorcyclists died of head injuries, hence the relevance of yesterday's campaign. He believed that 50 per cent of the motorcyclist deaths could be avoided by wearing Sirim-approved helmets properly.

"This is a simple campaign that requires just a little extra effort from motorcyclists.

"The premise of the campaign is simple. We will advise them to adjust their helmet straps accordingly."

The helmet advocacy programme had been implemented in 21 districts since it was launched early last year.