Abstract.A cross-sectional observation survey was carried out among 6 to 12 year old child pillion riders travelling to and from schools by motorcycle. The study focuses on the prevalence of carrying multiple child pillion riders at the same time, to determine the relationship between child pillion riders' safety helmet compliance, and their seating position and foot peg use. A total of 701 riders and 913 school children were observed. Riders' safety helmet use rate was found to be significantly higher (66.8%) than that of child pillion riders' helmet use (14.7%) with OR=11.7 (95%CI 9.2-14.9). It was observed that 29.1% riders were carrying more than one child pillion rider; with female riders more likely to carry more than one pillion rider (OR=1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.2). Observation on foot peg use showed that the rear motorcycle pillion rider (BP) are more likely to use the foot pegs as compared to the one in the middle (MP) (OR=11.7, 95%CI 7.8, 17.5). Safety helmet use by child pillion riders on route to school was found to be generally low. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in the child pillion rider safety helmet use compliance, according to the seating position. Children who are seated in the middle are less likely to use the safety helmet. Rear child pillion riders are more likely to use the foot pegs. To increase helmet use there is a need for public awareness campaigns on the safety benefits of safety helmet use among school children. In addition, to increase safety of children while riding as pillion rider, the law of carrying only one pillion rider must be enforced strictly.

After five years of establishment, ASEAN NCAP has assessed 62 distinct car models available in the ASEAN market and produced 96 ratings based on the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP) rating system. The program has so far drawn participation from 20 different brands or OEMs, signifying a mutual understanding between ASEAN NCAP and OEMs to create a 'safer car' environment in the region. This review presents a compilation of the results as well as ASEAN NCAP's distinctive contribution to the automotive ecosystem in Malaysia, where the program was initiated. In a broader sense, ASEAN NCAP has achieved meaningful and promising results toward a safer automotive ecosystem for Malaysian road users and provided added-value to car ownership.

In such a large road transportation system, human factor plays a very significant role in ensuring a desirable balance between transport demand and safe operations. This paper presents a systemic analysis of three safety items, namely seatbelt for adult car occupants, child safety seats (CSS) for young occupants and helmet for motorcyclists, of which the success level is highly reliant on the road users' willingness to utilise them according to the recommended and proper usage. In a temporal view of road crashes, these safety items were part of 'during-crash' passive safety components i.e. to provide protection during the crash impact phase. This analysis includes the safety items benefits and issues, related road safety strategic programmes, current legal framework, and local research findings based on observational studies. The use of both helmet and seatbelt was mandatory but the move has so far produced mixed results. Meanwhile, CSS usage and acceptance are on the rise, although still at a nascent stage. This situation can be considered as 'below satisfactory compliance level', hence a more inclusive solution is needed, including the introduction of technology, to influence or compel road users to wear such safety items while on the road.

It is envisaged that by the end of 2020, the number of passenger cars ever registered will reach 9.97 million with further projection to 12.64 million by 2040. While most new cars sold in Malaysia have reached ASEAN NCAP's 4- or 5-star rating by improving their safety standards, we can still see aged cars on the road. If the ELV policy were to be enacted in Malaysia, not only the country's economy will flourish but also ASEAN NCAP's endeavours would surely be more fruitful. Nonetheless, the question remains; will there be any policies or regulations regarding old cars in Malaysia such as those implemented in developed countries? In the end, the public must be convinced that an old car with inferior safety features on the road can ultimately lead to a tragedy and should fundamentally outweigh the economic implications to the consumers.

Nearly 1.3 million people are killed and up to 50 million people are injured on the world's roads every year. Approximately 30% of road deaths involve motorcyclists especially in the ASEAN region. In Malaysia, the number of motorcycle accidents is consistently increasing in parallel with the rising number of registered motorcycles. Motorcyclists are categorized under vulnerable road users (VRUs) due to their disadvantages in terms of safety. It is believed that personal protection equipment (PPE) is able to mitigate and minimize motorcyclist injuries resulted from road crashes. The most basic PPE for motorcyclist is the helmet which is made mandatory in many Southeast Asia countries due to its effectiveness in reducing head injuries. Other than that, protective clothing is also vital to protect human body parts from trauma. This study attempts to explore the effectiveness of motorcycle protective clothing performance available in Malaysia. Selected motorcycle protective clothing was tested using anthropometric test device, calibration equipment and instrument. In addition, a market survey was conducted to explore and examine the types and trends of motorcycle protective clothing available. This study finds that motorcycle protective clothing with protector i.e. padding and airbag can provide potentially reduced neck and chest injury in contrast with those with no protection. Furthermore, the result reveals that 55% of the protective clothing available is made of synthetic material. The overall results provide significant information that is useful in the development of countermeasures to improve motorcyclists' safety.