The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has advised user to ensure road safety at all times.
They also shared that the traffic flow on the main highways is moving smoothly, following people returning to Klang Valley after the Aidiladha break.
According to LLM’s Twitter post, the traffic is smooth in both directions for the north, south and eastern sectors, including the toll plazas.
Here are some tips for those returning to Klang Valley after the long break.
Plan the drive
Planning journeys these days is becoming effortless with the availability of navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps. Keep yourself updated with the respective highway officials’ time advisory (TTA) information. Follow accounts such as @mytraffic, @PDRMsia_Trafik, @plustrafik and @LLMinfotrafik. Specific hashtags such as #kltu, #plus, #jbtu and #ilintas also provide curated information from other users on the road.
Discipline on the highway
Always be mindful of other road users. There will be cars driving in the fast lane and vice versa. Be patient or slowly move to another lane.
This rule is also essential when moving to another lane as motorbikes can often appear from nowhere in your inside lane.
Two hands on the wheel
Driving with only a single hand with the other hand holding the mobile phone screams accident. Put your phone on a speaker or handsfree if you want some privacy. No matter how important the call or message is, it’s always better to concentrate on the road. It will only take a split second for loss of attention to cause an accident.
Always wear your seatbelt.
You must make it a habit to wear a seatbelt for all the car passengers, including children. Fatalities are more common in accidents when someone is ejected from the vehicle. Your seat belt will keep you inside your car and increase your odds of surviving a crash. If you are not buckled up, your body will continue moving at the same speed as your vehicle after the impact. Wearing a seat belt keeps you secured to your seat, so your body slows if your car suddenly stops.
Signal when changing lanes
Using your turn signal informs the drivers around you that you intend to change lanes or turn into a street. Think about it. If a vehicle in front of you does not use the turn signal, would you know where the vehicle is heading? Turn signals are essential to road safety as they act as a driver-to-driver communication device, informing other drivers of your desired path. To avoid accidents on the road, always make it a habit to use the turn signal when switching lanes or turning.
Stop rubbernecking.
Most highways experience a significant slowdown in traffic when there is an accident. Don’t park your cars and motorbikes in the emergency lane as the emergency services will have difficulties reaching the accident spot. Move along as you will be creating a traffic slowdown when you rubberneck.
Rest is important
Rest for at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving. The Rest and Service Areas are an excellent place to freshen up. Better known as R&R – for Rest & Relaxation. Get a hot coffee or a shut-eye before you continue your journey.
We hope you will have a safe journey back home.