Blind spots still a concern along roads parallel to LRT tracks

A driver has a close call with a motorcyclist near As-Salam Mosque in Puchong Perdana. Motorists have to drive further out just to see oncoming traffic. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN and AFDHAL IRSHAAD/The Star

MEASURES have been put in place to overcome the safety problems pointed out by motorists in Puchong and Overseas Union Garden (OUG), Kuala Lumpur, who earlier complained that their view is obscured by pillars of the elevated LRT lines.

Prasarana Malaysia Bhd has installed convex mirrors at some junctions along the stretch of Persiaran Puchong Perdana in Puchong.

Two such spots are the junctions near the Puchong Perdana LRT station and near the As-Salam Mosque.

A spokesman from Prasarana Malaysia Bhd said a convex mirror had been placed across from the junction to allow motorists a better view of oncoming traffic from Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) before they turn into Taman Puchong Perdana.

“Speed breakers have been installed before the junction (on the opposite side) to slow down oncoming traffic from the LDP, as another safety guard for motorists turning into Taman Puchong Perdana.

“Those travelling from Puchong Perdana LRT Station towards the LDP and who wish to turn right before As-Salam Mosque, are required to stop at the junction before the turning into Taman Puchong Perdana.

A car turning into the lane from the entrance of Bukit OUG Townhouse while a motorcycle speeds ahead.

“Additional road signage (no U-turn and no right turn from Jalan Indah 1) will be installed within the next two weeks.

“If there is a need for speed humps, we would need MPSJ's approval.

“Motorists are encouraged to observe the speed limit and traffic safety installations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone,” he added.

Puchong resident R. Dave, who uses the road daily, said the convex mirror solved the problem for one direction but not the other.

“To turn into Taman Puchong Perdana (with the station on my left), I have to inch my car out into the junction to look out for oncoming traffic as the pillar blocks my vies.

“The mirror does not help this side of the road,” he noted, adding that some motorists ignored the speed breakers and did not slow down.

The large pillar from the elevated LRT tracks on Jalan 4/155, Bukit OUG obstructs the view of drivers looking to turn into the lane that has oncoming cars.

At another junction in Puchong, traffic lights have been installed to solve the problem.

P. Sunitha, 48, who lives in Puchong Prima, had difficulty cutting across from Pesiaran Puchong Permai to Pesiaran Prima Utama as the LRT pillar blocked her view.

“The authorities first placed four speed humps along Pesiaran Puchong Permai to slow down oncoming traffic, to make it easier for us motorists to cut across.

“Fortunately now, traffic lights have been installed to replace the speed humps, as it has become a major junction, and the situation has improved greatly,” she said.

OUG residents, particularly those staying in Bukit OUG, complained about a similar problem of obscured view along Jalan 4/155.

The area has two LRT stations – Awan Besar and Muhibbah – located about one kilometre apart.

The view from the entrance of Bukit OUG Townhouse directly facing the T-junction that is a hazard to motorists, with the large pillar from the elevated LRT tracks obstructing motorists' view of oncoming cars on the other lane.

Bukit OUG Townhouse residents are particularly concerned as the T-junction is right in front of the entrance to the townhouse.

“As we exit from the guardhouse at the entrance, we cannot see cars coming from our left side because the pillar blocks part of our view, making it very difficult for us to judge the distance of the oncoming cars,” said Bukit OUG Townhouse resident Jay Shankar, 44.

“It is especially difficult in the mornings during the peak hour rush, where there are a lot of cars on the road and they are going very fast.

“We hope speed humps and convex mirrors can be installed at this location,” he added.

Fellow resident William Ku, 48, agreed with Shankar, saying that there had been an increase in the volume of vehicles on this road during rush hours since the opening of the connecting road (where the new Awan Besar LRT station is located) that leads into Jalan Perkasa 1.

“It makes it even more difficult to cut into the traffic during the peak periods.

Ho says the existing road bumps along Jalan 4/155 are ill-positioned.

“The existing speed bumps on both roads are not sufficient to control the speeding traffic,” added Ku.

Another resident, Richard Ho, 53, said the existing speed bump was not suitably positioned and were ineffective in slowing the cars down.

“The speed bump should be placed before the junction to slow down oncoming cars.

“Compounding the problem are the many cars parked along both sides of the road and adding to the traffic congestion in this area,” said Ho.

Bukit OUG Townhouse council member Cannie Lim told StarMetro that the Bukit OUG Townhouse management corporation had submitted letters and made calls to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to appeal for more speed humps along Jalan 4/155 but to-date there was no response from the governing authority.

“We hope DBKL will respond to our appeals and act soon to avoid more untoward incidents in the future,” she said.

Jay says the pillars of the elevated LRT tracks make it difficult for residents to turn into the next lane as it blocks their view, preventing them from being able to see oncoming cars.

Prasarana stated that the junction in Jalan 4/155, Bukit OUG, was constructed based on DBKL-approved design and in accordance with engineering and safety standards.

“The stretch of road at the Muhibbah LRT station has been handed over to DBKL.

“While we take note of the feedback, we are guided by the instructions of the local authorities.

“We will nevertheless engage with DBKL for a longer term solution” said the company’s spokesman.

On another issue, Cannie said residents had also written to DBKL requesting for a sound barrier to be built near the Bukit OUG housing area, but again they had yet to receive a reply from the authority.

Ku says that the increase of cars on the road made it harder for motorists to cut into traffic, especially during peak hours.