More than 300,000 lives were lost on the roads in 2019 across Southeast Asia, and riders of powered two- and three-wheelers account for two-thirds of that number. There is a disproportionately high number of motorcycle deaths and injuries in developing countries, which makes it even more important for governments and other key stakeholders to put rider safety at the top of their agendas.
One crucial way is to put in place crash avoidance technologies, in particular the motorcycle anti-lock braking system (ABS). Motorcycle ABS is among the most effective technologies to date – it increases rider stability, reduces stopping distances, and decreases fatality by more than 30%. There is thus an urgent need to democratise safety around the world, and especially in the ASEAN region, through the application of a motorcycle ABS standard, and empowering consumers to be able to buy a motorcycle that is equipped with ABS.
While such a legislation is supported by the UN under its recommendations of vehicle safety standards, there is a lack of implementation.
This webinar will argue for the case of ABS in motorcycles, looking at the system’s benefits and effectiveness, as well as how to encourage its adoption across ASEAN given the pressing need to save lives on roads.
Panellists:
- Opening Remarks: Mona Bjorklund, Director for Policy Coordination Directorate, DG Move
- Jessica Truong, Secretary General, Towards Zero Foundation (TZF)
- Khairil Anwar, Director General, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS)
- Thomas Lich, Senior Expert & Team Lead Accident Research, Corporate Sector Research & Advanced Autonomous Systems, Bosch
- Boran Sattya, Deputy Director Road Traffic, Safety Department, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Cambodia
Moderator: Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council