According to figures provided by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), motorcycle deaths in Malaysia were among the highest among road users in 2017 with 4,348 deaths.
At the Asean level, a report by World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed motorcyclists and 3-wheelers comprised 34% of road fatalities in 2015.
Asean NCAP testing the effectiveness of Blind Spot Technology.
Asean NCAP has undertaken the testing of the safety features in passenger cars such as Blind Spot Technology (BST) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in order to improve its capacity and capability in performing such tests.
Asean NCAP, which is a new addition of NCAP organisations worldwide, is the first to concentrate on reducing motorcycle fatalities as it is unique to this region.
An event was held at a private airstrip in Putrajaya recently where members of the media witnessed the testing of cars with BST for its effectiveness in warning drivers.
The test involved 10 car models fitted with such safety features against 10 popular motorcycles sold in the Asean region.
“The BST development test marks Asean NCAP’s plans in performing actual assessment to test the effectiveness of BST in detecting motorcyclists in blind spot zones. This accord with Asean NCAP’s objective to reduce motorcycle fatalities especially during lane change action.
“The test is based on the requirement as stipulated in the ISO 17387. The test also prepares us for our future roadmap from 2021 to 2030 which places priority in motorcycle safety by having a special domain for it in future assessments,” said Asean NCAP secretary-general Ir Dr Khairil Anwar at the event.
Also present were acting director general of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Dr Siti Zaharah and Asean NCAP chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon among others.
Asean NCAP is targeted to enhance safety standards, raise consumer awareness and encourage a marjet for safer vehicles in the Southeast Asian region.
