Motorcycle Lanes Reduce Rider Fatalities By 90 Percent Hot

A three year study of the effects of introducing motorcycle lanes to large Malaysian cities has produced startling results: the simple change in roadway traffic reduced rider fatalities by 90 percent. The lanes were first created in Kuala Lumpur and Klang, where many city residents rely on motorcycles, scooters and other vehicles with small engines as their primary modes of transportation.

"That's why motorcycle lanes should be provided. By separating motorcycles from other vehicles, the accident rate in the country can be reduced," said Datuk Suret Singh, Road Safety Department director-general. "We are also in the midst of tackling other problems involving motorcycle lanes because some of them are found to be infested with stray dogs, poorly lit and obstructed by trees," he continued.

Motorcycle safety officials from around the world are applauding Malaysia's efforts, and many are trying to figure out ways to expand the program to other countries. The change in infrastructure required to create traffic lanes to motorcyclists is expensive, and it isn't likely we'll be seeing them in America any time soon.

Still, if you consider how many motorcycle fatalities there are in America each year, it isn't hard to imagine that the investment would be well worth the money over time. Even if the fatailties were reduced by 75 percent, the sheer number of lives that would be saved every year would justify the cost of bringing a program like this stateside.