Curb these speedsters

I JUST became a retiree and, perhaps consequentially, I have became more conscious about safety around me. One thing – among many others – that caught my eye is the wanton disregard for the speed limit exhibited by drivers of small trucks (one to five tonnes) and the bigger trailers, tankers (oil tankers excluded, as I find that they are well-regulated by the oil companies), container trucks, and express buses.

Their speed limits are mainly 80kph to 90kph. But travel along the NKVE (New Klang Valley Expressway) or Elite (North-South Expressway Central Link) highways, to name just two, and you see many of these vehicles going over the speed limit.

These “kings of the roads” are a menace to other road users. I believe a lack of enforcement of the speed limit on highways encourages them to break the law. The authorities must look into measures to send a firm warning message to these drivers who put well-behaved road users at risks. I suggest the following actions:

> Have more speed cameras.

> Check regularly on existing cameras to ensure they are working; I have noticed some of them do not flash at all when speedsters pass by.

> Increase fines for breaking speed limits (and do not give discounts, please!).

> Mount periodic police operations to check these drivers.

> Regularly report the number of summons issued and police roadblocks set up to instil fear into would-be law breakers.

I remember years ago heavy vehicles all had a yellow light on top of their cabins that flashed if drivers went over the speed limit. I thought that was a brilliant idea to deter speeding.

CIVIC MINDED

Shah Alam