Burden of motorcycle-related injury in Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundRoad traffic injury (RTI) contributes to major morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. Most of the injuries are caused by road-related injuries that specifically relate to motorcycle crash. We attempted to conduct a short survey to determine the magnitude of burden related to motorcycle-related RTIs in Malaysia. We hypothesize that motorcycle-related RTI in Malaysia contributes significantly to the health burden in the country.MethodsThe cross-sectional survey involves data searching related to RTI in Malaysia from the relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Royal Police Force, and Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) through their official websites and PubMed search. The three agencies are well established and recognized by the Malaysian government in dealing with data collection for the injury nationwide. The primary aim is to determine the prevalence of motorcycle-related RTI, and secondary outcomes are the overall mortality and the contributing factors.ResultsOf the cause of trauma, 80 % is due to RTI, and the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and motorcyclists are affected the most. Of all RTI, 70 % is contributed by the motorcycle crash, and there are a significant number of deaths for both rider and pillion rider of the motorcycle than for other types of vehicles. Human error is the main reason to be blamed, specifically the attitude of the riders on the road.ConclusionsTrauma is one of the common reasons for death and hospitalization in Malaysia. Motorcycle-related RTI in Malaysia contributes significantly to the health burden in Malaysia. The Malaysian government and non-government agencies have worked together seriously in implementing a preventive measure to reduce the incidence and aftermath of motorcycle-related RTI. However, data is still lacking, and every effort is made to increase the amount of research in the field.Strengths of the article are as follows:Latest alarming data on motorcycle-related injuries in the developing country.The data is collected from multi-agencies recognized by ministries in the country.Very limited publication specifically on motorcycle-related injuries is available.Limitations of the article are as follows:The data is only from one country.The statistical data is gathered from a variety of sources, i.e., relevant agencies and authorities and website of the involved ministries.

Comparison of injury patterns in road traffic accidents for elderly and very elderly trauma patients in Malaysia

“…Consistent with past findings, 34,53,54,55,56 head trauma remained as a strong indicator of adverse outcome for injured geriatric trauma patients. While injury to extremity region was reported as the most common part of injured region following road traffic accidents in general population, 57,58,59,60,61 a substantial number of head injury cases were reported among geriatric trauma patients in this study. This implied that the mandatory road safety practices such as wearing safety or crash helmet, wearing seatbelt and presence of functional airbag were not sufficiently being emphasized among elderly road users.…”

Motorcycle accident injuries are more severe than other land transportation injuries

“…(22) This situation is similar to that in Malaysia, where 70% of accident victims are motorcycle drivers. (10) The results of our study showed that in general the proportion of severity of injury due to land transportation was 8.8%. Based on transportation mode, it is apparent that the proportion of severity of injury due to motorcycles was significantly higher as compared with other land transportation modes.…”

“…Death due to injury from motorcycle transportation involving drivers and passengers account for 58.7%. (10) The results of a study in Kenya show that motorcycles as a mode of public transport are the main cause of severity and death due to injury. (11) There are three main principles in the prevention and control of injury, i.e.…”

“…(9) In Malaysia, 70% of accidents involve motorcycles, and accounts for 60% of all road fatalities. (10) The results of the Basic Health Research survey (Riskesdas) for 2013 report the proportion of injury due to motorcycle transportation to be 40.6%. (7) Disability and death due to injury are closely associated with the degree of severity experienced.…”

Motorcyclists’ Mortality Pattern in Colombia from 2000 to 2013: A Longitudinal Study

“…The study also reported that the increasing of the mortality-rate might be a result of recent economic changes, a rapid increase in motorization rates, and a lack of public transportation policies oriented to the need of discouraging the use of private vehicles [6,7]. In addition, factors such as the growth in motorcycle sales, higher cost of fuel for regular 4-wheels vehicles, and the generalized idea-along with the misleading conception that motorcycles are more environmental friendly (among others) have also been related to this increasing phenomenon [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”