Motorcyclist deaths soar amid 17% jump in fatal road accidents
The Ministry of Home Affairs is urging the public to take greater responsibility on the nation’s roads following a sharp rise in fatal accidents, particularly among motorcyclists.
According to the Ministry’s Traffic Statistics Report for the period January 1 to June 14, 2025, the country recorded 54 fatal road accidents, a 17 per cent increase from the 46 fatalities reported during the same period in 2024. These crashes have resulted in 58 deaths, up from 56 last year.
Officials described the increase in road fatalities as deeply concerning, noting that behind every statistic lies a grieving family and a community bearing the burden of preventable loss.
Speeding remains the single greatest cause, responsible for 48 out of the 54 fatal accidents in 2025. Other factors cited include inattentiveness, which contributed to five deaths and at least one fatality resulting from pedestrian error.
Motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable road users, with 30 deaths reported so far this year – a dramatic 50 per cent rise compared to 20 deaths during the same period in 2024. Alarmingly, 23 of these riders were not wearing helmets.
Pillion riders fared even worse in terms of percentage increase: deaths soared from one last year to seven in 2025, a staggering 600 per cent jump. None of these pillion riders were wearing helmets at the time of the crashes.
Fatalities among pedal cyclists also increased, rising from four to five, with four of the victims found not wearing helmets. However, some improvements were noted.
Child fatalities fell by 67 per cent, from three last year to one this year. Pedestrian deaths also saw a sharp decline, dropping by nearly 44 per cent from 16 in 2024 to nine in 2025. Of the pedestrian deaths recorded, inattentiveness and crossing into the path of oncoming vehicles were the leading factors.
Occupants of cars accounted for eight deaths in 2025, none of whom were wearing seat belts. Seven drivers lost their lives in road crashes, with five failing to use seat belts. No fatalities were reported among minibus passengers or those riding in lorries, vans, or being towed.
Despite the worrying rise in fatal accidents, the overall number of traffic accidents in the country actually fell by 4 per cent, from 687 in 2024 to 660 in 2025. Serious accidents dropped by 9 per cent, minor accidents by 6 per cent, and damage-only accidents by 4 per cent.
The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to push its “Do the Right Thing” road safety campaign, urging all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to embrace a culture of safety and responsibility. The statistics, the Ministry notes, underscore a pattern: the failure to wear helmets and seat belts, combined with speeding and inattentiveness, is needlessly claiming lives.
