Latest news with #LawTeikHua
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Faded road markings a hidden threat to drivers
PETALING JAYA: Faded, overlapping or missing road markings may seem like a minor nuisance but they are an invisible danger lurking on Malaysian roads, contributing to collisions and close calls every day. Despite being one of the most basic road safety tools, worn-out markings are often neglected, even in major urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur. Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said faded or poorly maintained road markings are a major but often overlooked cause of crashes and dangerous driving. He said clear road signs and lane markers are especially crucial in low-visibility situations, such as at night or during heavy rain. 'Researchers have found that road signs that are easy to see and read are particularly vital for helping drivers find their route, especially when it's dark or pouring and visibility is low. 'The country's hot and humid climate is also accelerating the degradation of road paint,' he added. He said when lane lines fade, pedestrian crossings disappear or markings overlap, the risk of dangerous driving spikes. 'This can lead to lane drift, sudden braking and improper merging, all of which increase the likelihood of accidents,' he added, citing research linking inadequate markings to numerous highway crashes, particularly those involving unintended lane departures. Malaysia, however, has no consistent nationwide system to track or fix these hazards. 'The way authorities currently check and maintain markings is not sufficient to address the problem before it gets worse. 'There is no defined mechanism to check the visibility and condition of road markings on a regular basis, even though they are painted over every now and then,' he said. Law noted that unlike developed nations, Malaysia still does not conduct retroreflectivity tests, a standard method for measuring how visible road markings are under vehicle headlights. To address the issue, he proposed a standardised inspection protocol, with high-traffic urban roads checked every three to six months. He also urged the mandatory use of retroreflectivity tests and said critical markings – such as pedestrian crossings and sharp curves – should be repainted within 48 hours of being reported. Law dismissed the notion that this is only a rural problem. 'It's equally serious in urban areas,' he said, calling for a centralised digital monitoring system and the use of drones or machine-vision tools to speed up inspections. Echoing similar concerns, Universiti Putra Malaysia civil engineering expert Assoc Prof Dr Fauzan Mohd Jakarni described road markings as 'silent communicators' that guide drivers, especially when visibility is poor. 'Faded or overlapping markings create uncertainty and hesitation. Drivers rely heavily on these visual cues, particularly when there is limited signage or inadequate lighting,' he said. He warned that overlapping or double markings, often caused by careless re-striping, are particularly hazardous. 'They force drivers to second-guess themselves, leading to last-minute lane changes, abrupt stops and even rear-end or side-swipe collisions,' he said. To reduce these risks, Fauzan recommended that painted road markings be inspected and reapplied every six to 12 months, while thermoplastic lines, which last longer, should be standardised for more permanent solutions. However, maintenance remains inconsistent. 'Protocols vary widely between national highways and roads under local councils. This results in inconsistencies, where one stretch of road is clearly marked while an adjacent section remains faded, overlapping or poorly maintained,' he said. Fauzan stressed that any confusing markings must be removed immediately, but such overlapping lines are still common. He called for better coordination between agencies, stronger contractor accountability and dedicated budgets for road marking upkeep. 'Markings should not be treated as an afterthought. In the end, road markings may look like simple lines but they are actually lifelines. When they're faded, they don't just vanish, they take safety with them.'
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Faded road markings pose hidden danger on Malaysian roads
PETALING JAYA: Faded, overlapping or missing road markings may seem like a minor nuisance but they are an invisible danger lurking on Malaysian roads, contributing to collisions and close calls every day. Despite being one of the most basic road safety tools, worn-out markings are often neglected, even in major urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur. Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said faded or poorly maintained road markings are a major but often overlooked cause of crashes and dangerous driving. He said clear road signs and lane markers are especially crucial in low-visibility situations, such as at night or during heavy rain. 'Researchers have found that road signs that are easy to see and read are particularly vital for helping drivers find their route, especially when it's dark or pouring and visibility is low. 'The country's hot and humid climate is also accelerating the degradation of road paint,' he added. He said when lane lines fade, pedestrian crossings disappear or markings overlap, the risk of dangerous driving spikes. 'This can lead to lane drift, sudden braking and improper merging, all of which increase the likelihood of accidents,' he added, citing research linking inadequate markings to numerous highway crashes, particularly those involving unintended lane departures. Malaysia, however, has no consistent nationwide system to track or fix these hazards. 'The way authorities currently check and maintain markings is not sufficient to address the problem before it gets worse. 'There is no defined mechanism to check the visibility and condition of road markings on a regular basis, even though they are painted over every now and then,' he said. Law noted that unlike developed nations, Malaysia still does not conduct retroreflectivity tests, a standard method for measuring how visible road markings are under vehicle headlights. To address the issue, he proposed a standardised inspection protocol, with high-traffic urban roads checked every three to six months. He also urged the mandatory use of retroreflectivity tests and said critical markings – such as pedestrian crossings and sharp curves – should be repainted within 48 hours of being reported. Law dismissed the notion that this is only a rural problem. 'It's equally serious in urban areas,' he said, calling for a centralised digital monitoring system and the use of drones or machine-vision tools to speed up inspections. Echoing similar concerns, Universiti Putra Malaysia civil engineering expert Assoc Prof Dr Fauzan Mohd Jakarni described road markings as 'silent communicators' that guide drivers, especially when visibility is poor. 'Faded or overlapping markings create uncertainty and hesitation. Drivers rely heavily on these visual cues, particularly when there is limited signage or inadequate lighting,' he said. He warned that overlapping or double markings, often caused by careless re-striping, are particularly hazardous. 'They force drivers to second-guess themselves, leading to last-minute lane changes, abrupt stops and even rear-end or side-swipe collisions,' he said. To reduce these risks, Fauzan recommended that painted road markings be inspected and reapplied every six to 12 months, while thermoplastic lines, which last longer, should be standardised for more permanent solutions. However, maintenance remains inconsistent. 'Protocols vary widely between national highways and roads under local councils. This results in inconsistencies, where one stretch of road is clearly marked while an adjacent section remains faded, overlapping or poorly maintained,' he said. Fauzan stressed that any confusing markings must be removed immediately, but such overlapping lines are still common. He called for better coordination between agencies, stronger contractor accountability and dedicated budgets for road marking upkeep. 'Markings should not be treated as an afterthought. In the end, road markings may look like simple lines but they are actually lifelines. When they're faded, they don't just vanish, they take safety with them.'
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Expert: Strict rules, bicycle lanes needed to ensure safety
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should consider enforcing stricter regulations and investing in dedicated cycling lanes to avoid endangering cyclists and other motorists, says a transport safety expert. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said the absence of separate infrastructure for cyclists not only endangers them, but also compromises the safety of other road users, especially on high-speed highways. "In Singapore and many European countries, cyclists are prohibited from using expressways. "Governments there have invested in dedicated cycling lanes that offer a safe alternative without compromising the long-distance experience often sought by recreational cyclists. "Malaysia should follow this approach by creating safe, parallel lanes for cyclists that do not interfere with main road traffic," he said today. He was commenting on the need for dedicated bicycle lanes in the country. This followed a recent viral video showing a group of cyclists confronting a bus driver after alleging that the latter tried to run over them at the road side. The incident reportedly occurred at Km23 of Jalan Kuala Selangor–Kuala Lumpur, heading towards Sungai Buloh, after the Batu Arang traffic light junction in Kuala Selangor. Police later sought the cyclists to investigate whether they were obstructing traffic. Law said the government should also consider a ban on cyclists from using highways and high-speed roads unless they were participating in officially sanctioned events. "Highways are specifically designed for high-speed motor traffic and do not take into account the vulnerability of cyclists. "Large-scale cycling events should only be held with proper supervision, planned safety measures and preferably in consultation with traffic enforcement agencies. "This is standard practice in other countries, where large cycling events are strictly controlled, and unsupervised access to expressways is never permitted," he said. He added that while cyclists had the right as other road users, their presence on highways designed for speeds over 110kph could pose serious safety risks. "As much as cyclists deserve to be acknowledged as road users, their safety — and the safety of others — requires a more structured and controlled approach to where and how they ride. "High-speed highways are neither suitable nor safe for uncontrolled cycling activities. "A combination of strict regulation, enforcement, public education, and infrastructure investment is needed to allow cycling to flourish as a healthy and sustainable mode of transport without compromising road safety," he said.
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Impose strict rules and build bicycle lanes to ensure safety, says expert
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should consider enforcing stricter regulations and investing in dedicated cycling lanes on highways to avoid endangering cyclists and other motorists, in line with international best practices, says a transport safety expert. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Road Safety Research Centre head Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said the absence of separate infrastructure for cyclists not only endangers them, but also compromises the safety of other road users, especially on high-speed highways. "In Singapore and many European countries, cyclists are prohibited from using expressways. "Governments there have invested in dedicated cycling lanes that offer a safe alternative without compromising the long-distance experience often sought by recreational cyclists. "Malaysia should follow this approach by creating safe, parallel lanes for cyclists that do not interfere with main road traffic," he said today (July 13). He was commenting on the need for dedicated bicycle lanes in the country. This followed a recent viral video showing a group of cyclists confronting a bus driver after alleging that the latter tried to run over them at the road side. The incident reportedly occurred at Km23 of Jalan Kuala Selangor–Kuala Lumpur, heading towards Sungai Buloh, after the Batu Arang traffic light junction in Kuala Selangor. Police later sought the cyclists to investigate whether they were obstructing traffic. Law said the government should also consider a ban on cyclists from using highways and high-speed roads unless they were participating in officially sanctioned events. "Highways are specifically designed for high-speed motor traffic and do not take into account the vulnerability of cyclists. "Large-scale cycling events should only be held with proper supervision, planned safety measures and preferably in consultation with traffic enforcement agencies. "This is standard practice in other countries, where large cycling events are strictly controlled, and unsupervised access to expressways is never permitted," he said. He added that while cyclists had the right as legitimate road users, their presence on highways designed for speeds over 110kph could pose serious safety risks, not only to themselves but also to others. "As much as cyclists deserve to be acknowledged as road users, their safety — and the safety of others — requires a more structured and controlled approach to where and how they ride. "High-speed highways are neither suitable nor safe for uncontrolled cycling activities. "A combination of strict regulation, enforcement, public education, and infrastructure investment is needed to allow cycling to flourish as a healthy and sustainable mode of transport without compromising road safety," he said.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Rear seatbelt use in Malaysia drops from 20pct to 2pct in 16 years
KUALA LUMPUR: The rate of car rear seat belt use has plummeted to a mere two per cent from the 20 per cent recorded in 2009, when the regulation came into force. The finding was made by Universiti Putra Malaysia's Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua in a recent survey. Law, the head of UPM's Road Safety Research Centre, said the drop was believed to stem from public attitudes and weak enforcement. "Many rear passengers assume the front seats will shield them in the event of an accident. But the reality is quite the opposite. "During a crash, passengers in the back may tumble or be thrown about and anything can happen. "While the public often expresses grief when seeing accidents, deaths or injuries, the sentiment typically fades within five minutes, causing people to overlook the importance of wearing seatbelts," he said. He was speaking during an interview on the "Selamat Pagi Malaysia" programme aired on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) today. Rear seat belt regulations were enforced on Jan 1, 2009, under the Motor Vehicles (Seat Belt) (Amendment) Rules 2008. Those who fail to wear front or rear seat belts can be fined up to RM2,000 or jailed for up to six months upon first conviction. Repeat offenders face a maximum RM4,000 fine, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. Law said using a seat belt could prevent drivers and passengers from being hurled out of the vehicle during a crash and improve survival rates by three to five times. "There have been many cases where children in the rear seats, who were not wearing seatbelts, died after colliding with their parents sitting in front. "If you're not buckled up and a crash occurs, even if you're not thrown out of the vehicle, you'll likely collide with other passengers in the front or back. "For example, if the passenger weighs 70kg and the vehicle is travelling at 90kph during impact, the collision force can reach up to 2,000kg. "This is the kind of impact that causes passengers to be thrown out, and is often the reason why so many bus passengers die in accidents," he said. He added that compliance varies between urban and rural populations. "Older individuals, in particular, tend to dismiss the need for rear seat belts because they use village roads regularly and think it's not a problem. "There's also a misconception that vehicle safety features are sufficient, which is misleading. "For instance, Volvo cars are rated among the safest due to their structural strength. But this doesn't mean a Volvo occupant involved in an accident won't die.
