A total of 78,152 notices were issued to motorcyclists in Malaysia as part of a nationwide 29-day Special Motorcycle Operation that began on Nov 1.

The operation, conducted by Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (RTD), aimed to enforce compliance with the Road Transport Act 1987 and its regulations, reported Bernama.

“This special operation is aimed at monitoring and taking action against motorcyclists who fail to comply with the Road Transport Act 1987 and its regulations,” said RTD deputy director-general for planning and operations Datuk Jazmanie Shafawi during a press conference in Bangsar on Nov 30.

He said that the top offences recorded during the operation were:

• Riding without licence (22,601 notices)
• No vehicle registration licence (16,789 notices)
• No insurance (15,117 notices)
• Non-compliant registration numbers (4,699 notices)
• Expired licenses (1,606 notices)
• Underage riding (167 notices)

Out of the total number of notices, 1,530 were issued to foreign riders or pillion passengers, he added. Some 2,125 motorcycles were also seized during the operation.

Mr Jazmanie also said that 234 riders were tested for drugs, with 34 testing positive.

The RTD said earlier in November that it was launching the special operation as a result of “alarming statistics” that showed an increasing trend in the rate of fatal accidents recorded by the Royal Malaysia Police, especially involving motorcycles.