KOTA KINABALU: The change in speed limits along Jalan Lintas, a major road linking the northern Sabah region to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and the southern areas has caught motorists here by surprise.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice president Gee Tien Siong (pic) said road users only realised about it after receiving summonses for inadvertently exceeding the "unannounced" speed limit.
The speed limit had been reduced to 60km/h from 70km/h.
"It is a critical road, they must inform the public of any changes on the speed limit," Gee said, adding that there were also no signs to indicate to motorists where the 60km/h speed limit ends.
He chided the authorities for changing the speed limit without any prior notification to the public.
"There is a lot of confusion. Where does the 60km/h speed limit start and where does it end? Generally, the speed limit is set at 70km/h for such major roads in the state.
"The sudden reduction in the speed limit not only caught motorists by surprise but also disrupted traffic efficiency," Gee added.
He said Jalan Lintas was designed as a bypass road to alleviate congestion in Kota Kinabalu and it was also upgraded with flyovers to further improve traffic flow.
"The rationale behind reducing the speed limit is not explained," he said, adding that the Public Works Department should explain its decision.
