for both driving and riding, especially in Malaysia
where motorcycles weave in and out of traffic with
scary precision. However, when an untimely event
such as a car changing lane without signalling
happens, and the inexperienced rider fails to
control his motorcycle while assessing the traffic
environment around him, that may also lead to
an accident. In order to train these inexperienced
young motorcyclists, perhaps the duration of the
probationary period should be reviewed to ensure
that they receive a fair amount of practice on the
roads before earning their full license.
Another obvious reason which explains the
high rate of young motorcyclists in road accidents
can be seen through their risk-taking behaviour
while on the roads (Begg and Langley, 2000).
Unlicensed riding, riding without wearing a helmet,
riding while texting, racing on the roads at night,
performing dangerous stunts while riding are
just a few examples. Youths have a tendency to
overestimate their own abilities, which, coupled
with a high level of self-confidence and an urge
to explore the feelings of elation make them
underestimate risks and dangers and disregard
their own safety and the safety of other road users
(Arnett, 1992). To reduce the occurrence of risk-
taking behaviour among young motorcyclists,
everyone including traffic enforcers, parents,
families, schools and friends should play a role
in instilling positive principles and demonstrating
safe riding behaviours. This should start from a
young age so that as the child becomes a youth,
he will naturally act and behave based on these
instilled good practices. This is important as
traffic enforcers can help to reduce the risk-taking
behaviours only for a certain period of time and to
a certain extent.
And lastly, for youths, peer pressure is a critical
contributor in everything they do, even when
riding their motorcycles on the road (Mohd Khairul
Alhapiz, Siti Maryam, Nuura Addina & Mohd
Faudzi, 2012). For example, the possibility of
being ridiculed by their peers for riding just below
the speed limit might affect their self-esteem,
particularly among the males. In an effort to save
face and show their “manliness”, they might ride
above the legal speed limit or perform other risky
acts to earn so-called respect in the eyes of their
peers. Parents/guardians play a vital role in this
aspect as it is their responsibility to to shape their
offspring’s values and behaviour.
The factors listed above are only a few which
contribute toward the high involvement of young
motorcyclists in road crashes. It is important to
understand these underlying factors, for only
then will it be possible to plan specific strategies,
targeted campaigns and approaches which may
help to reduce the rate of young motorcyclists
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