THE 30kph speed limit at roads in school zones, despite being announced over two years ago, has yet to be gazetted due to the Transport Ministry still studying possible legal amendments needed, says the Education Ministry.
It said the possible amendments being reviewed involved the Road Transport Act 1987 to ensure that the new speed limit actually improves the safety of pupils and road users.
“The Transport Ministry is studying potential amendments alongside the Education, Works and police authorities, as well as the Public Works Department, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Road Transport Department (JPJ) and other relevant agencies.
“At the least, implementation of the speed limit will be supported by suitable road signs and road markings around the schools.
“It will also include more monitoring and enforcement efforts around schools by the relevant agencies according to their respective jurisdictions,” the Ministry said in a parliamentary written reply dated Oct 7.
On July 15, 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, agreed to set a 30kph speed limit as national policy.
In April last year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the limit was being gazetted, with the latest update provided in February this year, where the ministry said it was still studying amendments to the rules under Act 333.
The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) who asked about cross-ministerial efforts to improve traffic safety at schools and prevent unwanted incidents from recurring.
To this, the ministry also revealed that the ongoing Safe School Zone pilot project was being expanded to more schools across the country.
The project was first rolled out to 14 schools across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kedah, Sarawak, Johor and Perlis on June 15 this year.
“Cooperation with local authorities (PBT) is also ongoing, within their respective jurisdictions, to strengthen traffic management and safety around schools.
“This includes reorganising pupil drop-off and pick-up zones and implementing traffic-calming measures,” it added.
