A campaign to promote anti-lock braking system (ABS) crash avoidance technology for motorcycles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region has been launched by a coalition led by the Towards Zero Foundation and including the FIA Foundation.

The rate of road traffic fatalities in the ASEAN region is one of the highest in the world with riders of powered two and three-wheelers accounting for the majority of these deaths. Globally, powered two and three-wheelers represent 29% of all road deaths, however this rises to 62% of all ASEAN road deaths and, in some countries in the region, motorcycle rider fatalities are as high as 74%.

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable due to their lack of protection compared to car occupants. Crash avoidance technologies like motorcycle ABS can make a life-saving difference, increasing rider stability, reducing stopping distances and decreasing rider fatalities by more than 30%.

Despite the availability and effectiveness of motorcycle ABS, penetration of the technology in ASEAN has been low due to the absence of government legislation and consumer awareness. Currently, Thailand and Malaysia are the only ASEAN countries to mandate motorcycle ABS.
The Motorcycle ABS Partnership (MAP) is a multi-stakeholder partnership which seeks to bring together a variety of public and private stakeholders aligned to the key objectives of the project for ASEAN. A steering committee with representatives from each partner organisation will be formed to help guide the project direction and activities. The campaign objectives are to:

• Increase the fitment rate of motorcycle ABS in the ASEAN region by raising awareness of the benefits of motorcycle ABS and increasing consumer demand.
• Advocate for an ASEAN region-wide commitment to mandate motorcycle ABS (UN Regulation 78/GTR3) on all powered two-wheelers capable of travel speeds of 50km/h or greater.

Jess Truong, Towards Zero Foundation General Secretary, said: "In the ASEAN region, motorcycle ABS is likely to save up to 8,000 lives every year. The Motorcycle ABS Partnership consists of a coalition of partners invested in accelerating the adoption of an ASEAN region-wide mandate for the technology to help keep motorcyclists safe.”

Aggie Krasnolucka, FIA Foundation programmes manager, said at the launch: “Motorcycles are the most popular mode of transport in ASEAN countries, however, more than half of all road traffic fatalities are related to motorcycle usage across the region. The FIA Foundation is delighted to join the Motorcycle ABS Partnership and support this vital collaboration and its work.”

Project partners include: AIP Foundation; ASEAN NCAP; Asian Development Bank; Asia-Pacific Road Safety Observatory; Bloomberg Philanthropies; EU-ASEAN Business Council; European Transport Safety Council; FIA Foundation; Global NCAP; King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok; MIROS; Safer Roads Foundation; Stop the Crash Partnership; Towards Zero Foundation; UNECE; UNESCAP; and the World Health Organization.

The partnership was launched at the Global Regional Road Safety Observatories (GRRSO) Dialogue on Powered Two-Wheeler Safety in Manila, Philippines.