I had the opportunity to drive from Kuala Lumpur to Penang on the second day of Hari Raya I was really terrified to see the volume of traffic on the PLUS north-south highway all the way from KL to Penang.I dread to imagine how it would be over the weekend after the Raya holidays.
The highway itself was congested with cars and this became worse towards the evening. All the rest areas were so packed with cars that I could hardly pass through let alone parking ,easing myself and having some food or drink. All the R&R areas – restaurant jejantas(Sg.Buloh),Tapah, Sg.Perak and Gunung Semanggol were similarly over-crowded with people and cars.
I just wonder what will it be like ten years from now when the increased in population would result in a two-fold increase in the number of cars. Can we cope by building more highways? If we keep building more and more highways and roads to cater for the ever increasing population of cars and motorcycles, soon our country would become a land of roads and highways with hardly any space for the cultivation of food.
The main problem here is too many motor vehicles on the road resulting in congestion and whatever measures we take to reduce road accidents will be futile. Minor human errors are inevitable however careful one is while on the road. Although the error is minor but the result can be fatal as is the case in the majority of the accidents on our roads.
There are numerous steps that we can take to reduce accidents and the mortality associated with them. The one most important measure is to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads at all times particularly during festive seasons .Some of the ways to do this are:
- Avoid unnecessary travel especially during festive time. The people must be educated to discourage traveling during festive period. Family visits can be done throughout the year, why cramp into the two or three days.
- Not to give extended leave for festivals
- Avoid granting extended school holidays for major festivals. The recent adjustment of school holidays for deepavalli and raya was unnecessary and an abuse of privilege.
- Seriously consider improving and upgrading our public transport system. Intra-city and inter city public transport system must be enhanced. These must be safe, efficient and affordable. It is pointless to have campaigns to promote the use of public transport when we do not have an efficient system on the ground.
- To have separate lanes for motor cyclists in all major towns and cities.
Unless the government consider these measures very seriously and take steps to implement them immediately, lives will continue to be lost in this battlefield of ours called ROADS.
Dr.Chris Anthony
Dear Chris,
Malaysia’s answer to traffic jams is more of the same, more roads, elevated roads, super highways, smart (bodoh) tunnels, you name it they have it.
Unless Malaysians understand that it is no big deal owing and driving cars in extremely congested roads. The answer is what Singapore has done. The culture of “showing off” cars means wealth needs to be shaken up.
Malaysia bodoh
Chris
Dear Chris Krishnan,
Well done Chris, you have showed what kind of person you are, very “professional” and “civilised” .
Every country has its own problems. The solution varies and depends on the country’s situation.
If you’re Malaysian, you should be out of this country,, if you are Singaporean,, I would like to see how long you will survive by drinking shiting water.
u have a analysis of traffic data?based on a way to reduce the traffic congestion with public vehicles
Dear Chris Krishnan,
I think you are the one who are bodoh!! Singapore controlled car ownerships, but look at their cars – it’s really showing off! Malaysia has high volume of small and medium size vehicles like produa and proton. They are not showing off!
What we need is a good and efficient public transport.
Singaporean are the worst drivers when driving in our country.
I suggest all relevant bodies especially the rRdion Station of all medium (Malay, Chinese, Indian & English) to frequently remind road users to practice alertness on road so as to reduce the number of accidents due to carelessness and other reason that contributed to accidents.. These advise is to create awareness to all on the safety measures that every one of us should play a part.