Raya Ready Starts With Road Safety - General Insurance Industry Urges Road Safety As 2.5 Million Vehicles ‘Balik Kampung’

16 March 2026|Siaran Akhbar

Kuala Lumpur, 16 March 2026 – As a vast majority of Malaysians prepare for the annual “balik kampung” journey to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) is advocating for proactive road safety measures. With an estimated 2.5 million vehicles expected to hit major highways, the general insurance industry is focused on digital preparedness and driver responsibility to curb the rising rate of road accidents.

One Motorist Death Occurs Every 80 Minutes

Current data reveals a sobering statistic: one motorist death occurs every 80 minutes on Malaysian roads. Furthermore, human error accounts for 8 out of every 10 accidents.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility," says Chua Kim Soon, CEO of PIAM. "We advise against using small-capacity motorcycles for long-distance travel, as riders and pillions 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 a road accident."

Human Error: The Top 8 Causes

To ensure a safe journey, motorists are encouraged to stay mindful of these high-risk factors:

  1. Speeding
  2. Using a mobile phone while driving
  3. Distracted driving
  4. Fatigue
  5. Missed vehicle maintenance
  6. Reckless, dangerous, or aggressive driving
  7. Beating the red light
  8. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

4-Point Checklist This Raya

At the start of planning your Raya journey, PIAM recommends a quick review of your motor insurance policy to ensure seamless assistance, if needed.

1) Geographic location coverage

Ensure your vehicle insurance includes coverage for the geographic locations you are driving to especially if you are crossing borders to Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. You may need to extend your comprehensive motor insurance policy for driving outside the country (such as geographical extension to Thailand, Floor cover or Legal Liability to Passengers (LLP) cover which is compulsory in Singapore).

2) Additional named driver

Check if your vehicle insurance covers additional drivers. If you have more than one person driving the vehicle, ensure they are named on the policy, or the coverage is on All Drivers basis to avoid the application of compulsory excess in the event of a claim.

3) Roadside assistance and towing

Comprehensive coverage should include roadside assistance and towing. Review the policy wording to understand the benefits and download your insurer’s digital roadside assistance application beforehand.

4) Special perils

Given the unpredictable weather, it’s a good idea to include special perils coverage, for added protection in case of flash floods or weather-related incidents.

Our Insurers Are Ready

To support the festive rush, member insurers have positioned tow trucks at strategic locations. The teams are prepared to provide 24/7 roadside assistance including quick repairs if possible and towing to an authorised workshop for various vehicle segments, such as Private Cars, motorcycles and EV vehicles.

In the event of an accident or roadside emergency, traditional hotlines remain fully operational. However, PIAM encourages policyholders to download their insurer’s Digital Roadside mobile application during the motor policy renewal phase. Having your vehicle and motor insurance policy number available at your fingertips is invaluable, particularly if a police report is required or if you need to verify coverage details on the spot.

Safe Travel Tips

Before starting on your Raya journey, consider these 3 key safety and insurance tips. 

  1. Plan your journey well
    • Schedule your drive time using navigation applications to stay informed of real-time traffic, route suggestions, weather conditions and rest areas for your breaks.
    • Download your insurer’s digital roadside assistance application for roadside assistance and keep a hard copy of your motor insurance and road tax for easy reference in your glove compartment.
  2. Check your vehicle
    • Inspect tires, brakes, lights and fluids level to ensure your vehicle is at optimal level.
    • Don’t overload your car with passengers or luggage, as it can affect vehicle handling and safety.
  3. Stay alert and rest regularly
    • Avoid distractions such as mobile phone and maintain a safe distance with other vehicles.
    • Take breaks every 2 hours to avoid fatigue, especially during long drives.
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