Malawi Police cautions against riding a motorbike without a helmet

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has warned motor cyclists that it will take serious action on anyone found riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

In an interview Police Spokesperson for the Southern Region, Rodney Mushane, said it was sad that some motor cyclists were ignoring the laws of the land by operating without helmets.

“This problem is there and as police, we are doing all we can to reach out to the people and civic educate them on the dangers of operating a motorcycle without a helmet,” he said.

Mushane said the problem is more rampant in the rural areas where most people are ignorant of road traffic regulations with others belittling the need to wear a helmet which is very important for ones safety when on a motorcycle.

“As we take serious action against the perpetrators, we will also reach out to them with messages since most are ignorant on a number of issues including the need to register their motorcycles,” he said.

A snap survey in the district of Blantyre revealed that many motor cyclists, mostly those conducting businesses locally known as “Kabaza operators” in Lunzu, Chileka and around Lirangwe Townships were operating without helmets.

Moreover, most Kabaza operators were seen carrying more than one passenger on the motorcycle which is against road traffic laws.

“It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that the mode of transport they are using is safe and sound,” Mushane said in relation to the way most Kabaza operators are conducting their businesses.