Speed limit at school zones to be lowered further, says DPM
KUALA LUMPUR: The speed limit at school zones will soon be lowered to 30kph from the current 40kph to lower the rate of accidents and create a safer environment for students, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said on average, 67 people perished annually at school zones.
He added that additional speed breakers will be installed in collaborations between local councils and schools to ensure that the speed limit is observed by motorists.
He said that according to police statistics, 322 road accidents were reported at school zones nationwide last year.
He said international research had shown that for every one kilometre of speed reduction, the fatality rate declined by 4% to 5%, and a speed reduction of 5% could decrease fatal accidents by 30%.
“A working committee will have to be formed to decide on the timing and road stretches at school zones where the new speed limit will be implemented,” Ahmad Zahid said after chairing a meeting with the Cabinet committee on road safety and traffic congestion here yesterday.
He said police records also showed that until May this year, 267,013 road crashes were reported and 2,742 fatalities, with more than two-thirds of the victims comprising motorcyclists and pillion riders.
“I was also told by the police that road accidents had risen by 8.39% compared with the same period last year.
“The approach we need to take to curb accidents is not merely by creating awareness and education, but also by intensifying enforcement,” Ahmad Zahid told a press conference.
Also present were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh.
Separately, Ahmad Zahid said a pilot test conducted for a tidal flow lane stretching 3.8km from the Sungai Besi toll plaza to the KL Gateway to ease traffic congestion found there was no improvement in traffic flow.
The five-day test was carried out by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros).
Ahmad Zahid said Miros and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had been instructed to find alternative ways to improve traffic at the stretch.
He also said it was proposed that DBKL work closely with other ministries and agencies, especially the police’s Criminal Investigation Department, in utilising its 5,000 closed-circuit television cameras installed in the city for other purposes such as crime prevention.
Ahmad Zahid said there were also discussions on the dispersion of traffic in Johor Baru in preparation for the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System, which will be ready in 2027.
Meanwhile, Loke said the government would continue encouraging the use of public transport by introducing schemes that benefit users.
“We also discussed how to improve walkability and bus services. There are many areas in Kuala Lumpur that do not have bus stands.
“We encourage local councils to collaborate with the private sector on this matter,” he added.
