PETALING JAYA: With Sunday's Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations producing another long weekend for Malaysians, many are looking forward to reuniting with their loved ones at their hometowns, while others will be heading for a getaway.
And almost all travellers will be using the highways. With potentially longer hours being spent on the road, highway users have been advised to make the necessary physical and mental preparations to ensure a smooth journey.
PLUS Malaysia corporate communications head Syed Mohammed Idid said it was important for users to understand that their planned travel times could be extended due to a higher volume of traffic.
“Prepare yourself both mentally and physically. If you are travelling with young ones, make sure to pack their milk, hot water and titbits to accommodate their needs.
“If you are travelling with the elderly, packing their medicine is a must, alongside sufficient water for everyone else,” he said, adding that it was also necessary to plan for toilet breaks along the way.
He said users should also take the time to ensure their vehicles were in pristine working condition to prevent any breakdowns on the road, adding that it was the most commonly tackled issue by the PLUSRonda units during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in May.
“If you do experience breakdowns when travelling north or south, make sure to stop in the emergency lanes and contact the PLUSLine for assistance from our rangers.
“While waiting, stand behind the guard rails next to the emergency lanes as a safety precaution and do not attempt to fix your vehicles on your own as it could prove to be dangerous, especially with a high volume of traffic on the highways,” he added.
Syed Mohammed said the PLUSRonda units would arrive within 20 to 30 minutes of any call, depending on road conditions and the volume of cases being handled.
Highway users are also advised to adhere to the travel time advisory (TTA) issued by PLUS to reduce traffic congestion.
“Motorists from the Klang Valley heading towards Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak (north), and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.
"Highway users heading towards closer destinations or to other states are advised to enter the highway after 1pm,” he said.
For the journey back to the Klang Valley (from July 10 to 12), those in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak (north), Johor and other states are advised to enter the highway before 9am.
Highway users are also urged to utilise navigation applications such as Waze or Google Maps before embarking on their journey home.
“Travellers should also enter and exit toll plazas using the same payment method to prevent any unwanted congestion and ensure you have an adequate balance before entering them,” said Syed Mohammed.
Regular traffic updates can be obtained through the @PLUSTrafik Twitter service, PLUS Application, toll-free PLUSLine at 1800-88-0000, PUTRI Chatbot, on electronic message signs along the highway mainline, and also announcements via major radio stations.
