Gifts of new helmets await lucky motorcyclists at roadblock

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IT was a roadblock that motorcyclists were actually rushing to.

Many came wearing old and cracked helmets — some stuffed with newspapers to improve the fit — while others still had a military feel to them as they resembled army helmets more than those used for roads.

For the lucky motorcyclists who were in need of a proper helmet, they were all smiles as 50 new Sirim-approved motorcycle helmets were given out in a ‘helmet exchange’ programme.

The programme was part of a road safety advocacy campaign conducted by the Road Safety Department (JKJR) in conjunction with their third JKJR Directors’ Conference held in George Town.

During the campaign on Saturday, which was conducted on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 15 children’s helmets were also available for exchange while JKJR personnel were on hand to distribute 100 safety vests and 300 luminous strips to motorcycle riders.

Safety first: Leslie (left) putting a child's helmet on four-year-old Luqman Ahakimi while the boy's father Amirudin Mansor, 28, looks on.

Leaflets on road safety were also handed out to drivers and motorcyclists alike.

Hawker Chan Kooi Wa, 51, who was the first to receive a new helmet, said the gesture was much appreciated.

“I’ve been using my old helmet for about five years.

“A good helmet can cost about RM30,” said Chan, who has been getting around on a motorcycle for more than 30 years.

JKJR director-general Leslie Leon said about 150,000 Sirim-approved helmets had been exchanged and given out to motorcycle users in advocacy programmes since 2008.