Motorcyclists’ road safety related behavior along primary roads in Malaysia – a case study

Majority of Malaysian motorcycle fatalities have occurred along straight road sections, which are mostly two-lane undivided roads with several small junctions or access points. In order to gain more insight into the actual road traffic situation and the course of events on these sites because, an observational and traffic conflict study, focusing on motorcyclists, was conducted by the author between June and August 2012 on straight road sections that has access points along primary roads in Malaysia. Our speed analysis showed that the majority of the motorcyclists traveled below the speed limit and had a lower speed when approaching the access point, especially when road users were on it. However, when the primary road traffic volume was high, they maintained higher speeds compared to other vehicles. The percentage of motorcyclists that did not slow down while approaching the access point was higher on the nearside to the access point approach, especially when they were travelling near the shoulder, and when there is a vehicle waiting on the approach of the access point. Our conflict study has shown that motorcyclists entering from the access point are involved in serious traffic conflicts with mainly motorcycles and heavy vehicles, to about the same extent as other vehicles entering the primary road