Subramaniam Kulanthayan

Modeling of Compliance Behavior of Motorcyclists to Proper Usage of Safety Helmets in Malaysia

A questionnaire study was carried out in Kajang, Malaysia on the compliance behavior of motorcyclists in relation to the proper usage of safety helmets. A total of 500 respondents were interviewed and the data analyzed using logistic regression method. Six variables were found to be significant at 5 percent level (p < 0.05): age, gender, distance of travel, location of travel, riders practice and perception of police enforcement. Compliance to the proper usage of safety helmet was higher for motorcyclists 21 years of age and above, female riders and pillion passengers, travelling in town areas, categorized as having good practices, who are able to predict enforcement activities and travelling a distance of 2 km and above.

Impact of the effect of economic crisis and the targeted motorcycle safety programme on motorcycle-related accidents, injuries and fatalities in Malaysia

In 1997, a Motorcycle Safety Programme (MSP) was introduced to address the motorcycle-related accident problem. The MSP was specifically targeted at motorcyclists. In addition to the MSP, the recent economic recession has significantly contributed to a reduction of traffic-related incidents. This paper examines the effects of the recent economic crisis and the MSP on motorcycle-related accidents, casualties and fatalities in Malaysia. The autocorrelation integrated moving average model with transfer function was used to evaluate the overall effects of the interventions. The variables used in developing the model were gross domestic product and MSPs. The analysis found a 25% reduction in the number of motorcycle-related accidents, a 27% reduction in motorcycle casualties and a 38% reduction in motorcycle fatalities after the implementation of MSP. Findings indicate that the MSP has been one of the effective measures in reducing motorcycle safety problems in Malaysia. Apart from that, the performance of the countrys economy was also found to be significant in explaining the number of motorcycle-related accidents, casualties and fatalities in Malaysia.

Engaging policy makers in road safety research in Malaysia: A theoretical and contextual analysis

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a growing public health problem that must be addressed through evidence-based interventions including policy-level changes such as the enactment of legislation to mandate specific behaviors and practices. Policy makers need to be engaged in road safety research to ensure that road safety policies are grounded in scientific evidence. This paper examines the strategies used to engage policy makers and other stakeholder groups and discusses the challenges that result from a multi-disciplinary, inter-sectoral collaboration. A framework for engaging policy makers in research was developed and applied to describe an example of collective road safety research in Malaysia. Key components of this framework include readiness, assessment, planning, implementation/evaluation, and policy development/sustainability. The case study of a collaborative intervention trial for the prevention of motorcycle crashes and deaths in Malaysia serves as a model for policy engagement by road safety and injury researchers. The analytic description of this research process in Malaysia demonstrates that the framework, through its five stages, can be used as a tool to guide the integration of needed research evidence into policy for road safety and injury prevention.

The use of non-standard motorcycle helmets in low- and middle-income countries: a multicentre study

Background The use of non-standard motorcycle helmets has the potential to undermine multinational efforts aimed at reducing the burden of road traffic injuries associated with motorcycle crashes. However, little is known about the prevalence or factors associated with their use. Methods Collaborating institutions in nine low- and middle-income countries undertook cross-sectional surveys, markets surveys, and reviewed legislation and enforcement practices around non-standard helmets. Findings 5563 helmet-wearing motorcyclists were observed; 54% of the helmets did not appear to have a marker/sticker indicating that the helmet met required standards and interviewers judged that 49% of the helmets were likely to be non-standard helmets. 5088 (91%) of the motorcyclists agreed to be interviewed; those who had spent less than US

TRAFFIC LIGHT VIOLATION AMONG MOTORISTS IN MALAYSIA

10 on their helmet were found to be at the greatest risk of wearing a non-standard helmet. Data were collected across 126 different retail outlets; across all countries, regardless of outlet type, standard helmets were generally 2–3 times more expensive than non-standard helmets. While seven of the nine countries had legislation prohibiting the use of non-standard helmets, only four had legislation prohibiting their manufacture or sale and only three had legislation prohibiting their import. Enforcement of any legislation appeared to be minimal. Interpretation Our findings suggest that the widespread use of non-standard helmets in low- and middle-income countries may limit the potential gains of helmet use programmes. Strategies aimed at reducing the costs of standard helmets, combined with both legislation and enforcement, will be required to maximise the effects of existing campaigns.

A Game of Chinese Whispers in Malaysia: Contextual Analysis of Child Road Safety Education

This paper presents an analysis of the violation of traffic light signalization in Malaysia. Authors note that, in 2006, there were 341,232 traffic accidents in the country, which resulted in the death of 6,287 persons. It is hypothesized that a possible reason for these accidents is due to traffic light signalization non-compliance. A cross-sectional study of violations in Selangor was conducted as the city had experienced non-compliance violations resulting in 136 fatalities and 155 injuries in 2002. During a five week period a total of 3,471 vehicles were observed and analyzed with bivariate analysis, or logistic regression, in order to discriminate a relationship between potential non-compliance and five predetermined variables. It was shown that the given factors were a good indicator of non-compliance.

789 Post traumatic stress disorders and quality of life among traffic crash survivors in Malaysia

In 2006, the Malaysian government began implementing road safety education (RSE) programs in primary schools, involving numerous stakeholders. We interviewed 19 stakeholders. Thematic analysis led to the identification of four themes: road traffic injuries (RTIs) among children in Malaysia, the role of RSE, factors affecting successful implementation, and intersectoral involvement. The latter was identified as a significant strength of the overall approach to implementation, and is one of the first examples in Malaysia and in the region of such an approach. Lack of official documentation surrounding ownership, funding responsibilities, and roles among the various sectors led to resistance from some groups. Although we know from scientific studies what works in terms of reducing RTIs, the more important question is how such interventions can be successfully and sustainably implemented, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The results of this study permit stronger understanding of issues surrounding the implementation of RTI interventions in LMIC.

938 A journey from pedestrian safety intervention to first international safe school initiative attempt

Background Traffic crashes (MVC) injure many people and affects victims’ everyday lives and productivity. Traumatic experiences are common, but only a minority of survivors develops chronic emotional problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this cross sectional study is to determine the quality of life (QoL) and PTSD among traffic crash survivors. Methods A total of 108 traffic crash survivors from the Orthopaedic Clinic of two leading public hospitals in Selangor, Malaysia (Serdang Hospital and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital) participated. Each respondent was interviewed face to face using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to measure QoL and Impact Event Scale (IES) to measure the level of PTSD. Results The results found that 82.4% of the respondents developed PTSD and 56.5% of the respondents had poor QoL. There is significant difference exists in social relationship domain with the level of PTSD (p < 0.05). There is also a significant difference between overall QoL score and the level of PTSD among the respondents (p < 0.05). The result also showed a significant difference between age (p = 0.044), race (p = 0.013) and educational level (p = 0.002) with the mean score of QoL. However, there was no significant association between age, gender, marital status and educational level with the level of PTSD. QoL score was found to be significantly correlated with PTSD (p = 0.030). Conclusions In conclusion, traffic crash involvement is a leading cause to PTSD. Decrements in QoL have been associated with both chronic pain and also PTSD. Hence, greater attentions need to be given for those traffic crash survivors who developed PTSD symptoms.

Determinants of speeding among bus drivers in Malaysia

Background The 2nd Global United Nation Road Safety Week launched in 2013 with the theme on pedestrian safety. This was followed by the 3rd Global United Nation Road Safety Week in 2015 with the theme on children safety. In conjunction with these global campaigns run locally, a pedestrian safety intervention was launched for the safety of the school community comprising students, teachers, staffs and parents on May 11, 2013 Methods A pedestrian safety intervention was initiated to segregate the vulnerable road users (pedestrians) from the traffic by building a Covered Pedestrian Walkway (277 feet long x 7 feet width) by Safe Kids Malaysia Universiti Putra Malaysia with funding from Industries (FedEx and Global Alliance of NGOs on Road Safety). This initiative bridged the industries and community. Results The first output is a research to implementation initiative by a Knowledge Transfer Program on pedestrian safety from Safe Kids Malaysia research output on pedestrian safety. The outcome is an attempt by the school institution to apply to be designated as the First International Safe School in Malaysia within the Safe Communities Framework in 2015. 1178 Children, 70 Teachers, 8 Staffs and 870 parents are using the pedestrian walkway and this has reduced their risk on road by removal of hazard. Conclusions The dream impact we are exploring for this International Safe School movement leading towards First International Safe Community in Malaysia. We hope this will yield a reduction in traffic crashes and injuries involving child pedestrians in this community.

Compliance of Proper Safety Helmet Usage in Motorcyclists

Background In Malaysia traffic crashes are a huge problem with 414 421 road crashes and 6872 deaths in year 2010 (PDRM, 2011). In Malaysia, the main cause that leads to road crashes was speeding and aggressive driving, which contributes 54.1%. Objective The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence speeding among bus drivers in Malaysia. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted from December 2006 till January 2007. There were a total of 144 buses being observed. This research was conducted at the Rest and Recreational areas of a major expressway. A Radar Gun was used to get the speed-reading of the moving buses on the roadside. Meanwhile, the questionnaire survey was conducted on the bus drivers been tracked by the vehicle registration earlier using the Radar Gun. Results More than half (54.2%) of the buses observed were speeding. In this study, there are nine variables being tested through Logistic regression test and five variables were found significant. The five contributing variables of speeding are type of day (weekend and weekday), time of day, posted speed limits (90 km/h and 110 km/h), driver age and working experience among bus drivers (p<0.05). Significance Buses are at risk on road as they are speeding. Traffic enforcement activities need to be beefed up. Employers strong involvement is needed to address this major traffic problem, which could endanger the driver, passengers and other road users sharing the road.