KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 -- A total of 2,880 road crashes involving children were recorded between January and September this year, including 714 fatal cases, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.

Citing data from the Home Ministry, Loke stated that fatal road crashes involving children have reached a serious level, with many incidents linked to the failure to use seat belts.

He said that, of the total, 156 cases -- including 74 deaths -- involved children who were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

"The compliance rate among drivers and front passengers of private vehicles has exceeded 90 per cent since the 'Click Before You Move' campaign began on September 11, 2025.

"However, the use of seat belts among rear passengers remains low, averaging only between 10 and 15 per cent," he said in a written reply in Parliament yesterday.

Loke was responding to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who had asked about the status and timeline for enforcing seat belt use for all drivers and passengers of private vehicles, as well as the effectiveness of the campaign.

Loke said the Transport Ministry, through the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), will strengthen awareness and enforcement measures to boost compliance.

This includes mass communication efforts, road safety education in schools and digital outreach campaigns, along with stricter enforcement through joint operations with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

He said a special enforcement phase, which began in September 2025, targets express and tour buses nationwide to ensure that both drivers and passengers comply with seat belt regulations.

"MOT is confident that with stricter enforcement and sustained awareness campaigns, seat belt use, particularly among express and tour bus passengers, can be further improved," Loke said.

Anthony Loke: 2,880 road crashes involving children this year, with 714 fatalities linked to failure to wear seat belts