Accident claim news

Malaysian motorcycle accident problem addressed

The authorities in Malaysia are so concerned about the possibility of motorcycle accidents during the festive month of February that they're offering hard cash in exchange for photos of road users infringing traffic laws.

The month of February sees a huge increase in the number of people involved in motorbike accidents and car crashes as hundreds of thousands of Malaysia's ethnic Chinese community pour out of the towns and cities to celebrate the Lunar New Year with relatives in the countryside.

Such was the extent of the carnage on the road during February 2006 that the Malaysian Transport Minister, Chan Kong Choy, has asked snap-happy members of the public to send in photos of dangerous drivers in action.

He has announced that for each day of the month, 150 ringgit (£22) will be awarded for the clearest photo, followed by 100 ringgit for second place and 50 ringgit for third. Budding sleuths can bid for the prize by sending their photos to the transport department's website.

Mr Chan told local journalists, "This move is hoped to reduce the rate of road deaths that always rise with each festive season."

More than 3,600 people died from serious personal injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents in Malaysia last year and many of the deaths are known to have taken place during February's festivities.

A vast majority of the road accidents are blamed on speeding and tiredness and this year 5,000 traffic police and 1,200 road safety officers will be strategically placed around the country in an attempt to cut the fatality rate.

Especially concerned at the number of people killed in motorcycle accidents, Chan Kong Choy encouraged riders to consider other ways of travelling and said, "The Government is encouraging this group of people to use public transportation throughout the festive season to avoid deaths."