RTD to ensure 3.35 million motorcyclists have valid licence within five years

The Road Transport Department will ensure approximately 3.35 million motorcyclists in the country, who have been riding without valid driving licences, to obtain the document within the next five years.

RTD director-general Datuk Sri Ismail Ahmad said this would be done through the implementation of two programmes, namely myLESEN programme for youth and One Community One RTD programme for those aged above 40 in Sabah and Sarawak and above 45 in the peninsula.

He said ever since the two programmes were introduced in 2009, the department had managed to issue motorcycle (B2) driving licence to 62,903 motorcyclists nationwide, 6,668 of whom were from Terengganu.

"The programmes were aimed at ensuring that motorcyclists will be able to ride according to the law," he told reporters after officiating the closing of the One Community One RTD programme in Gong Kemuntong here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ismail said the number of road accidents recorded last year had increased by 14,781 cases to 477,204 from 462,423 in the previous year.

"Of the total, 6,915 deaths were reported last year compared to 6,917 in 2012," he said.

Ismail said as a measure to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities, the department had also organised various other programmes, including the setting up of the 1RTD Young Squad, to highlight the importance of road safety among the public, especially young motorists.

"The RTD will also ensure that the squad's memberships will reach the target of 300,000 by end of this year. As at March 31, the squad has registered 28,778 members through its special counters nationwide," he said.

On Friday in Kota Baharu, Ismail said the department would also make it compulsory for its enforcement officers to have at least one personal insurance.

"This is because their jobs require them to face various risks, including death," he said.

At present, he said 30 per cent of RTD enforcement officers did not have any insurance coverage.