 Road traffic deaths in ASEAN countries are estimated at 117,000 annually, with over half involving motorcycles.

 An increasing number of countries and territories, including Japan, Taiwan, and India, are making motorcycle antilock braking systems (ABS) mandatory for new motorcycles.

 Malaysia is the first and only ASEAN nation to require all new cars to have electronic stability control (ESC) as of 2018.

Bosch believes Southeast Asia can do more to enhance road safety. Each year, ASEAN member countries officially report approximately 63,000 road traffic deaths. However, the World Health Organization estimates the actual figure to be around 117,000 due to underreporting or inaccurate data. While Singapore boasts one of the world’s lowest traffic-related death rates per capita, Thailand has one of the highest.

“We need lasting solutions to address this issue, which is the leading cause of death among young people in the region. It claims thousands of lives and costs governments a substantial amount of money every year,” stated Martin Hayes, President of Bosch in Southeast Asia, in a keynote speech at the EU-ASEAN Business Summit held in Manila, Philippines. “The loss of life, property damage, and harm to safety reputations pose a significant threat to the social and economic advancement of ASEAN member countries.”

“At Bosch, we believe that even one traffic-related death is unacceptable. As an automotive supplier, we are convinced that the most significant contribution our industry can make is to manufacture safer vehicles equipped with advanced safety systems.”

The world’s first antilock braking system (ABS) for passenger cars, a technology that prevents a car’s wheels from locking up during emergency braking, was introduced in 1978. This innovation allows drivers to maintain steering control and typically reduces braking distance without skidding. In 1995, Bosch enhanced this technology by developing the first electronic stability program (ESP or ESC), which is now installed in 64% of new cars globally. In Europe alone, ESP has saved over 8,500 lives and prevented more than a quarter of a million accidents to date.

Southeast Asia, the world’s third-largest market for two-wheelers, sees motorcycle riders account for over half of all road traffic fatalities. Indonesia and Thailand alone experience 21,000 fatal motorcycle accidents each year. A critical technology for improving motorcycle safety is ABS, which allows for hard braking without wheel lockup, thus maintaining vehicle stability and keeping the rider upright. Introduced in 1995, motorcycle ABS significantly minimizes the risk of falling, shortens stopping distances, and consequently reduces the likelihood of collisions. Bosch research suggests that if all motorized two-wheelers were equipped with ABS, approximately one in four motorcycle accidents in ASEAN countries could be avoided. Globally, a growing number of countries and territories, such as Japan, Taiwan, and India, are mandating motorcycle ABS in new vehicles.

“Governments have a crucial role in encouraging the adoption of safety systems. Legislative measures mandating safety features have been implemented in almost all developed countries and many developing nations worldwide," Hayes explained. “Countries that have yet to make safety features like ABS, ESC, and motorcycle ABS compulsory – in both passenger cars and motorcycles – can be found in Africa, parts of South America, the Middle East, and most of Southeast Asia. Currently, Malaysia is the sole ASEAN member state to mandate ESC in all new cars, a regulation in effect since 2018.”

Vehicles with high safety standards, equipped with features such as airbags, ESC, or ABS, not only safeguard passengers but also open up export opportunities for local manufacturers in major automotive markets. “We believe governments should actively promote these safety features if they aim to establish ASEAN as a globally competitive, world-class automotive manufacturing center that contributes positively to the region’s economic and social progress,” emphasized Hayes.

“Improving road safety is not an overnight process. We recognize that it requires a gradual, collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including governments, the scientific community, NGOs, and the industry.”

In November 2015, ASEAN transport ministers adopted the ASEAN Regional Road Safety Strategy. This strategy provides a framework of strategies and actions to reduce road fatalities in the region by 50% by 2020. This strategy also received the endorsement of ASEAN economic ministers and the ASEAN Economic Community Council in February 2017. These entities will also work toward improving road safety policies and programs and harmonizing the region’s safety regulations with UN regulations. The UN General Assembly has declared 2011 to 2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to stabilize and reduce the number of global road traffic deaths.