KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has denied making an assumption that there would be fewer motorcycle accidents if the speed limit is lowered.
It said in a statement that a blog had quoted a journal, titled “Fatal Injuries in Malaysian Motorcyclists”, based on the findings of the Road Safety Research Centre, Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1999 and linked it to Miros.
A posting on the blog claimed that according to the 1999 study by Miros, the majority (35.1 per cent) of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred on roads with maximum speed of 70kph while the death rate on roads with speed limits of 50kph was 24.3 per cent.
“Claims that the research was used by Miros to promote the need for a lower motorcycle speed limit at that time are not true. It must be noted that Miros was only established in 2007, so the (supposed) 1999 Miros research statement is not true,” it said.
The statement added that the Transport Ministry and departments as well as agencies under it were still examining a number of proposals to improve the safety of road users in a comprehensive manner, especially those involving motorcycles.
“Further information on research and implementation will be announced from time to time. Miros encourages public input on proposals and feedback to improve road safety in the country,” it said. – BERNAMA