Lack of direction marks and poor signage at the SS4 four-way junction confuses some road users and causes them to slow down. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
MOTORISTS are demanding better road signs at a convoluted four-way intersection in SS4, Petaling Jaya in Selangor.
It involves four roads – Jalan SS4A/1, Jalan Bahagia, Jalan Majlis and Jalan SS3/39 – and many motorists are having difficulty navigating through the flawed intersection.
S. Makentherajah, who lives in SS3, said the signs were very confusing as there was no distinction between arrows used to denote turning or heading straight.
“Proper direction marks and road signage should be placed further away from the junction to alert road users to use the correct lane,” he said.
He noted that the lack of signage and inaccurate signage caused many, especially those unfamiliar with this junction, to drive unpredictably which might potentially endanger other road users.
Mechanical engineer Husaini Ujang, a resident of SS5, said these junctions were hazardous and worsened the traffic situation.
“I almost got hit by a car, too.
Ruben says he has witnessed many accidents around the junction, especially at night.
“I am very sure the car behind me was unfamiliar with the road.
“There were even a few accidents that happened recently, involving motorists here, and this is due to the complicated road design.
“Having too many access points and a U-turn in between confuses many, especially people who are new to this area.
“Only about 20 vehicles a day utilise the U-turn.
“It is an unnecessary and complicated design,” he added.
A check by StarMetro found that the roadsigns were placed very close to the junction, causing motorists unfamiliar with the intersection to slow down suddenly hence posing a hazard to other motorists behind them.
Businessman Ruben Jayaraj, 44, said the multiple access points without proper signage and motorists who slowed down or made sudden turns tend to cause problems and accidents.
“I have observed many accidents happening around this intersection, especially at night.
Husaini says there have been recent accidents at the site and he has had a near-miss too.
“This new system can be functional but delivery riders and other motorcyclists who speed and swerve pose extreme danger to other motorists,” said Ruben.
On July 15, StarMetro reported that the new traffic system replacing the roundabout was inconvenient and dangerous to most road users.
A motorist, who regularly uses the road to work and only wanted to be known as William, said there had been no issues when the big roundabout was there.
“During peak hours, the current system does not improve traffic flow but worsens it,” he added.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said there had been no accidents reported around the Jalan SS4A/1, Jalan Bahagia, Jalan Majlis and Jalan SS3/39 intersection so far.
“Those who come across such incidents should lodge a report at the nearest police station for further investigation,” he added.
Petaling Jaya City Council did not respond to requests for comments at press time.
