LOWER traffic volume and changes in choice of transport mode due to the coronavirus crisis were two key reasons for lower road deaths in 2020 compared to in 2019, said the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).

Its director Dr Muhammad Marizwan Abdul Manan said the movement control order (MCO) kept people home and off the road.

“There was fewer vehicles on the road and modes of transport changed. For instance, people relied on e-hailing services to get food and basic necessities. Motorcyclists were used to send parcels and goods. 

Miros’ findings showing fewer road fatalities last year were recently published on automotive blog paultan.org.

In 2020, there were 4,634 fatal accidents, a 24.9% reduction from the 6,167 deaths from road accidents the previous year.

Malaysia introduced the first MCO on March 18 last year to curb the spread of Covid-19 virus. There were extensions to the order and subsequently, additional cycles of it in various states with severe Covid-19 outbreaks.

As movement restrictions are eased, interstate travel remains banned except with police permission, and many people continue to work from home.

More delivery riders hurt

Cases of road injuries, however, were up in 2020, Miros noted.

There were 17, 236 cases of road injuries last year, 2,192 cases, or 14.6%, more than the 15,044 cases registered in 2019, it said in its report.

This correlates with the greater presence of motorcycle delivery riders on traffic-free roads during the health crisis.

Empty, unmaintained roads during lockdowns were a contributing factor to the higher number of road injuries, Marizwan said.

“Road users such as motorcyclists, especially delivery runners, were exposed to risks such as unmaintained roads, potholes or sandy and gravel roads. Riders are at greater risk because they are on a two-wheel vehicle. 

“Another factor is riding irresponsibly. When the road is empty, some riders tend to ride in an irresponsible manner which could also expose them to risk,” he said.

The breakdown in the Miros report showed 9,762 cases of light injuries in 2020 compared to 5,855 in 2019; and 2,840 cases of severe injuries in 2020 compared to 3,022  in 2019.

Concerns over road fatalities among delivery riders on motorcycles were sparked after it was erroneously reported that they accounted for two-thirds, or 1,684, of motorcycle deaths.

The Transport Ministry later clarified that 17 delivery riders were killed on the road in 2019 and one in 2019.

There were also 10 cases of severe injuries involving delivery riders in 2020 compared to none the year before.

And more of them suffered light injuries (64) in 2020 compared to four cases the year before.

Motorcycles are usually the road users most at risk, with 3,118 of killed in road accidents compared to 888 deaths involving those riding in cars, in 2020.

Pedestrians accounted for 266 deaths; lorries, 135; vans, 82,55; buses, 27; bicycles, 107; and other vehicles, 108. – April 27, 2021.