MELAKA, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The call to celebrate Aidilfitri with family and friends back in their hometowns would certainly push the motorcyclists to join the 'Balik Kampung' exodus to celebrate the 1st of Syawal.

In the excitement to return home, those who decided to use the motorcycles to travel the long distance were advised to pay attention on the safety aspects of their machines.

This is to ensure that they arrive safely home, with life and limbs unharmed as during the coming festive season, thousands of vehicles are expected to clog the roads out of the major urban areas nationwide.

ROAD CRASH STATISTICS

When speaking at the 11th Yamaha Balik Kampung Road Safety Campaign held at Politeknik Merlimau near here recently, Melaka Road Safety Council chairman Datuk Gan Tian Loo said the statistics for road crashes nationwide from January to July this year showed that there were 3,854 fatalities.

A total number of 5,194 people were seriously injured while 9,116 suffered light injuries.

From the number of fatalities, 2,308 were motorcyclists and their pillion riders. The rest were car drivers and their passengers (798), pedestrians (339) and others (409).

Gan, who is also the State Executive Councillor for Works and Public Utilities said motorcyclists still made the highest number of road crash victims.

He said the number of crashes can be reduced if the road users exercise caution and apart from being sensitive and concerned for road safety.

TIPS ON MOTORBIKE CHECKS

The Yamaha road safety campaign, themed "View The side Mirrors, Arrive Safely At The Destination", highlighted the Yamaha Safety Riding Science and 10 inspection tips before a biker rides his machine back to his hometown.

Speaking to Bernama, manager for Yamaha Training Academy, Vincent Khoo Kah Eke, said a motorcyclist should ensure that his machine is in good condition before taking the road home.

The 10 pointers are:

- Ensure enough petrol for a day's travel.

- Ensure that the lubricant is at the optimum level.

- Ensure that the tyres are in good condition and have enough pressure. Check for any possible cracks.

- Ensure that the motorcycle chain is in good tension and well-oiled.

- Check the engine for any leakage and determine whether the ignition is smooth and the sound emitted is normal.

- Test both the hand and foot brakes to ensure that the brakes are functioning well with adequate brake oil.

- Check whether the clutch is functioning well.

- Clean the lamp and check whether there are cracks on it as well as the function of the brake light.

- Check the battery fluid whether it is at the recommended level and the connection is tight and no erosion at the battery terminal.

- Ensure that all nuts and screws are tight.

ROAD SAFETY FEATURES

Khoo also said the motorcycist should focus on the safety aspects of riding a motorcycle.

- Wear a crash helmet when riding a motorcycle

- Use a crash helmet that is well fitting and approved by Sirim. Tie the crash helmet securely.

- Wear a full-face helmet or that of the jet type with visor to protect the face from dust, stones and sunlight.

- Tape a luminous band to the helmet so that it can be easily seen at night.

- Wear boots or leather shoes with a strong sole to provide more strength while changing the clutch or stepping on the brakes. This is also to prevent the foot from slipping.

- Wear long-sleeve shirt and long pants for protection in case of a fall or collision.

- Wear bright-coloured shirt like white or yellow so that you are visible from a distance particularly when the visibility is poor or at night.

- Wear a pair of gloves that can absorb sweat and protect your palms from injury.

ATTENTION, ASSESS AND ACTION

Khoo said there are three salient points or basic rules for a motorcyclist to take into account when riding his machine. They were the three 'As' -- attention, assess and action.

Attention means giving full focus and taking note of anything 'unnatural' or strange in the surroundings while assessing the situation follows what happens during the attention stage. Taking action is what that should be done to deal with the situation that arises.

"The three basic rules should be a balanced effort and practiced at all times. Most of the road crashes occurred after the motorcyclist failed to be attentive, failed to make the correct assessment and failed to take the necessary action," said Khoo.

He said failing in giving attention refers to when the motorcyclist was in lack of focus, failed to notice an oncoming vehicle because his view is blocked either by a corner or another vehicle in front and his vision distracted by an oncoming vehicle.

Failing in making assessment refers to the motorcyclist thinking that the other vehicles would reduce their speed or stop, giving way to the moving motorcycle, the motorcyclist thinks that he can move between other vehicles, taking bends at high speeds and tail-gating the front vehicle.

Hence, when the motorcyclist failed in the first two aspects, then inevitably he would fail in the third aspect of taking the necessary action.