Balik kampung exodus of 3.8 million

KUALA LUMPUR: Starting this weekend, some 3.8 million vehicles will be taking to the expressways in the balik kampung rush for the Chinese New Year celebration.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said with the increase in traffic volume, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has taken several initiatives to ensure a smooth flow of traffic, as well as the safety of road users.

Both LLM and the highway concessionaires would be operating round the clock with additional staff on duty, said Nanta.

“We will ensure that the toll collection system works well, and provide additional lanes at toll plazas to reduce congestion,” he said during an interview with Bernama Radio yesterday.

He added that tow trucks were also provided at selected locations to help in the event of an accident.

Highway construction and maintenance work that involve lane closures would also be halted from this Friday until next Wednesday, so as to avoid disrupting traffic flow, he added.

According to Nanta, there were 4,379 fatalities from 402,626 road accidents between January and September of last year.