PETALING JAYA: A total of 2,900 underaged motorcycle riders have died from accidents between 2008 and 2021, says Dr Farah Nini Dusuki.
The Children's Commissioner said the statistics covered riders from six to 15 years old who met with fatal accidents as motorcycle riders.
"From the total number, 87 cases involved children between the ages of six and 10 years old dying from accidents as the riders of motorcycles, not pillions.
"I can't imagine how their feet can operate the motorcycle, which is why the legal riding age is 16," she said during a press conference by Suhakam about the ethics of news reporting regarding children on Monday (Sept 2) here.
She added that this is a concerning figure that should be addressed with tighter road safety laws.
"One of our plans this year, which will continue till 2025, is to enforce laws on the safety of children on the road," she said.
In a previous report on Aug 18, Farah Nini had called for an update by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) about a new “B3” motorcycle licence category.
The proposed "B3" would restrict individuals aged 16 to 20 years old to operate only electric bikes and low-powered mopeds not exceeding 70cc.
Farah Nini had endorsed a recommendation to study the proposal by the police in 2021.
On Aug 15, two 13-year-old boys lost their lives after their motorcycles collided with each other while performing stunts in Elmina, Shah Alam.
On Aug 10, a 12-year-old boy, who rode a three-wheeled motorcycle, caused the death of a 16-month-old toddler in Bachok, Kelantan. – Bernama
