With an estimated 2.5 million vehicles expected on major highways during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday season taking place through to Monday, Malaysia’s general insurance industry is urging stronger road safety awareness and digital preparedness among motorists.
The General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), a statutory trade association representing registered general insurance and reinsurance companies operating in Malaysia cited data showing that one motorist dies every 80 minutes on Malaysian roads, and that human error accounts for eight out of every 10 accidents in the country.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility,” PIAM CEO Chua Kim Soon noted. “We advise against using small-capacity motorcycles for long-distance travel, as riders and pillion passengers continue to represent the highest number of fatalities. We encourage travellers to prioritise safety and vehicle readiness over speed, which is one of the top causes of road accidents.”
PIAM identified eight leading causes of road accidents driven by human error: speeding, mobile phone use while driving, distracted driving, fatigue, missed vehicle maintenance, reckless or aggressive driving, running red lights, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The association also urged motorists to review their motor insurance policies before departure, outlining four key areas of concern. These include geographic coverage for those crossing into Thailand, Singapore, or Brunei; ensuring additional drivers are named under the policy; confirming that roadside assistance and towing are covered; and adding special perils protection against flash floods or other weather-related incidents. PIAM noted that Legal Liability to Passengers coverage is compulsory for vehicles entering Singapore.
To support motorists during the holiday period, PIAM said member insurers have pre-positioned tow trucks at strategic locations along major routes and will provide 24-hour roadside assistance, including emergency repairs and towing to authorized workshops, for private cars, motorcycles, and electric vehicles.
The association further encouraged policyholders to download their insurer’s digital roadside assistance app ahead of travel and to keep both vehicle and policy details readily accessible in the event of an accident or emergency requiring a police report.
PIAM also recommended that motorists plan routes using real-time navigation tools, inspect tires, brakes, lights, and fluid levels before departure, avoid overloading vehicles with passengers or luggage, and take a break every two hours to counter driver fatigue on long drives.
According to The Star, a total of 9,859 road accidents and 85 fatalities were recorded during Op Selamat 2025, the police-led road safety enforcement operation that ran from March 29 to April 3, 2025. While the fatality count represented a 23.42% decline from the previous year, the overall number of accidents rose by 10.66%.
