Malaysia’s road networks are among the busiest in Southeast Asia, connecting millions of people every day. But behind this movement lies a persistent challenge — road accidents continue to claim thousands of lives each year, making road safety a pressing public concern.
This visual story explores how, where, and who is most affected by road accidents in Malaysia. Through global and national comparisons, we uncover key trends that shape the country’s road safety landscape.
Estimated Road Traffic Death Rate by Country (2021)
Across the world, countries like Libya and Guinea record the highest road traffic death rates.
In contrast, Malaysia’s rate sits close to the regional average, suggesting moderate performance —
yet still far from the safest nations globally.
Road Accident Rates in Malaysia by State (2011–2021)
Zooming into Malaysia reveals stark contrasts between states.
Kuala Lumpur consistently records the highest accident rates, reflecting its dense traffic and urban congestion.
However, a noticeable dip occurred in 2021, when lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly
reduced vehicle movement — offering a glimpse of what safer roads could look like.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to select different years and compare accident rankings across Malaysian states.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to select different years and compare accident rankings across Malaysian states.
Malaysian State Ranking by Accident Severity (2011–2021)
Not all states have shared the same road safety journey. Over the years, some have shown steady progress in reducing road accidents and their severity, while others have experienced setbacks —
highlighting areas that may require stronger enforcement or targeted safety measures.
📍Interactive: Use the dropdown to select different severities and compare trends.
📍Interactive: Use the dropdown to select different severities and compare trends.
Victims Over Time: Deaths vs Injuries (2001–2019)
Injuries have far outnumbered deaths, though both follow similar trends.
Among all road users, motorcyclists remain the most vulnerable, consistently accounting for the majority of casualties —
a reminder of the risks faced by Malaysia’s most common mode of transport.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to filter by year.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to filter by year.
Accident Causes by Road User Type (2000–2019)
Motorcycles have consistently contributed the largest share of road accidents, followed by motorcars.
The dominance of motorcycles in both involvement and impact underscores the urgent need for
targeted awareness campaigns, better infrastructure, and safer riding practices.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to filter by year.
📍Interactive: Use the slider to filter by year.