_with_part_of_the_research_team_and_the_tested_bicycle_and_motorcycle_helmets._Pic_courtesy_of_Malaysian_Medical_Association.jpeg)
MOTORCYCLE and bicycle fatalities constitute nearly two-thirds of the roughly 6,000 road fatalities in Malaysia. The use of certified helmets is the single most effective strategy for the prevention of head injuries to motorcyclists and bicyclists.
In Malaysia, motorcycle helmet standards were first introduced in 1969 (MS 1:1969)(Malaysian Standards) and further enhanced in 1996 (MS 1:1996). However, the government then accepted either standard for motorcycle helmets.
In 1996, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and Road Safety Marshal Club of Malaysia (RSMC) [as part of the Malaysian Helmet Initiatives (MHI) Consortium] bought 25 adult motorcycle helmets from various retail outlets in the Klang Valley and sent them to Sirim for testing to MS 1: 1996.
Of the 25 helmets tested, 18 failed the enhanced standards MS 1:1996. During the study, it was found that some manufacturers had used false Sirim labels on the helmets.
The government cancelled the licences of three manufacturers and insisted that thereafter all motorcycle helmets should meet the enhanced standards MS 1: 1996.
In 2005, MMA and RSMC carried out a similar study on quality of motorcycle helmets. The results showed that all 45 adult helmets passed MS 1:1996 standards while only one out of 5 child motorcycle helmets passed the test.
Subsequently the government developed standards for children motorcycle helmets.
In 2023, MMA and RSMC bought 20 child motorcycle helmets (10 from online stores and 10 from retail outlets in Penang and Kedah) and had them tested at Sirim to current motorcycle standards.
The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) and Sirim have recently proposed that the newly developed standards (MS 1-2:2023) be implemented. Hence, we bought a further 10 helmets from retail stores and had them tested to these proposed MS 1-1: 2023 standards.
We also bought 21 child bicycle helmets (11 from retail outlets and 10 from online stores) and sent them to Sirim for testing to current pedal cycle helmet standards MS 1763: 2004.
Findings
During the process of purchasing motorcycle and bicycle helmets we noted the following:
> Retailers were generally aware of the standard requirements for child motorcycle helmets but not so for child bicycle helmets.
> Some retailers were unaware of the quality of the helmets they were selling.
> Some retailers verbally said that the helmets meet standards while there were no labels on the helmets.
> Some of the helmets sold had a QC label implying that they meet standards of the manufacturers.
> Majority of the bicycle helmets did not have a standards certification label.
> Some the bicycle helmets had labels of foreign standards which were acceptable such as USCPSC, EU standards, etc.
> Some of the helmets were labelled as “toy”.
> Some of the helmets were very flimsy to feel.
Testing results
Of the 10 child motorcycles bought from retail outlets – only 5 passed, 5 failed the tests.
Of the 10 child motorcycle helmets bought from online stores – only 3 passed, 7 failed the tests.
Of the 10 additional child motorcycle helmets bought from retail outlets and tested to proposed MS 1-2: 2023 standards – only 5 passed, 5 failed.
Of the 11 child bicycle helmets bought from retail outlets – 5 passed; 6 failed MS 1763: 2004
Of the 10 bicycle helmets bought from online stores – 3 passed; 7 failed MS 1763: 2004
The names and brands of the helmets which passed and failed the tests have been submitted to Sirim and are being kept confidential.
Conclusions
There still exists a significant proportion of child motorcycle and bicycle helmets in the retail outlets and online stores which do not meet Malaysian standards.
The Malaysian Medical Association and Road Safety Marshal Club of Malaysia hereby jointly:
> Urge the relevant authorities to take necessary action to ensure that all motorcycle and bicycle helmets which are available in retail outlets and online stores to the public meet Malaysian or international standards;
> Advise the public to exercise caution and make sure that they purchase motorcycle and bicycle helmets from retail outlets and online stores which meet Malaysian or international standards; and
> Appeal to the media to publicise the findings of this study to increase awareness of the need to use certified motorcycle and bicycle helmets in the interest of public safety. – The Vibes, March 1, 2024
The above statement is issued by the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) and the Road Safety Marshal Club of Malaysia (RSMC).
The research team included the MMA Injury Prevention Committee chaired by Prof Krishnan Rajam, and also RSMC’s Captain K Balasupramaniam and team. Prof Krishnan supervised AIMST University’s Year 3 medical students Jessica Tan Hsu Anne, Wong Kho Yie and Liew Xin Ru in the research.
