KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 are being reviewed in efforts to legislate the 30km/h speed limit at roads in school zones, says the Transport Ministry.
The ministry said the review was being conducted comprehensively together with the Works Ministry, Public Works Department, Housing and Local Government Ministry, PLANMalaysia, Education Ministry, police and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
“Once the 30km/h speed limit is gazetted, enforcement measures can be taken by both the police and Road Transport Department,” it said in a written reply on Tuesday (Feb 24).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the reduction in the speed limit to 30km/h around school zones as a national policy in July 2024.
According to the ministry, enforcement will take several approaches, including operations at selected schools, installing visible signage, the usage of automated cameras and surveillance during peak school hours,” it said.
The ministry added that a pilot project is also being carried out by the Road Safety Council at schools in high-risk zones.
Among the intervention measures taken are narrowing lanes and sidewalks, raising pedestrian crossings, creating refuge islands and medians and installing more signboards.
“An approach encompassing engineering, education and enforcement can help reduce the risk of serious injuries and death in school zones,” it said.
The ministry was responding to a question by Kalam Salan (PN-Sabak Bernam), who asked about the enforcement mechanisms of the 30m/h speed limit in schools.
On another matter, the ministry said its helmet exchange programme will soon be tailored to focus on secondary school students who use motorcycles.
It said its MyLesen B2 programme, an initiative to help the B40 group obtain a free Class B2 motorcycle riding license, will also be targeted towards secondary school students.
“This will ensure students who intend to ride motorcycles to schools will obtain formal and structured training, thus reducing the risk of accidents,” it said.
It added that the MyLesen B2 programme will continue this year and is expected to benefit up to 30,000 eligible participants, with the cost of obtaining the B2 license also borne by the government.
The ministry also said the Road Transport Department has begun enforcement through the use of various technologie,s including Automatic Plate Number Recognition systems installed on highways, High Speed Weigh in Motion systems and AWAS cameras.
The ministry was responding to Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (BN-Kalabakan) who asked about steps taken to boost enforcement in light of the increasing number of vehicles on the road and if the government intended to continue the MyLesen B2 programme to reduce the number of individuals riding motorcycles without a license.
