Most dangerous Malaysian roads and highways
By Susan Tam | Yahoo Newsroom – Wed, Jan 29, 2014
Did you know that road accidents are fast becoming one of the leading causes of death in developing nations, beating HIV/AIDS and other familiar diseases like tuberculosis?
According to the World Health Organisation(WHO), a research done by the Pulitzer Centre for Crisis Reporting found that at least 25 out of every 100,000 people die in road accidents, with motorcycle accidents leading the statistics here.
Similar results were recorded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s International Transport Forum. Its latest report found that the number of accidents have remained the same from 2011 to 2012. Malaysia records 23.8 road deaths per 100,000 people, beating our neighbours such as Cambodia.
We've compiled a list of accident-prone roads and highways in Malaysia. But keep in mind that speeding and reckless driving cause most, if not all accidents, so be careful on roads with danger zones like the ones below.
According to the World Health Organisation(WHO), a research done by the Pulitzer Centre for Crisis Reporting found that at least 25 out of every 100,000 people die in road accidents, with motorcycle accidents leading the statistics here.
Similar results were recorded by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s International Transport Forum. Its latest report found that the number of accidents have remained the same from 2011 to 2012. Malaysia records 23.8 road deaths per 100,000 people, beating our neighbours such as Cambodia.
We've compiled a list of accident-prone roads and highways in Malaysia. But keep in mind that speeding and reckless driving cause most, if not all accidents, so be careful on roads with danger zones like the ones below.
KM3 of Karak Highway
Genting bus crash, August 2013.We are all too familiar with the crashes on this highway, particularly on those steep stretches from Genting Highlands towards Kuala Lumpur. Sadly, 37 lives were lost last August in a bus crash, the worst in Malaysian history. The bus carrying 53 people plunged into a ravine at KM3 going downhill from the theme park and hill resort. The Works Ministry had offered to work with the Road Transport Department to conduct an audit on the notorious road.
KM 31 of Gombak, Selangor on Karak Highway (close to the Genting Sempah Tunnel).Staying on the same stretch of road towards Genting Sempah, it is known to be just as dangerous. In October 2010, a tour bus skidded and overturned while descending from the highland theme park and casino, killing seven people in this accident.
Federal Route 185: Simpang Pulai – Kuala Berang HighwayHighland roads are windy and pose risks when drivers speed or if visibility is poor. In 2010, a bus spun out of control on the road leading to Cameron Highlands from Simpang Pulai. The vehicle hit a divider, killing most 26 people, mainly Thai tourists. The remains of those who died were sent back to Thailand on a C-130 transporter plane at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang.
Federal Route 8: KM 63 of Lipis - Merapoh RoadLocated on the border of Kelantan and Pahang, this narrow road is also known as the Gua Musang highway. Fourteen people were killed when two buses, one express and another a converted school bus, collided. The impact of that collision was so strong that one of the buses ripped the roof of the other vehicle.
Many logging trucks use this route and drivers are advised to be careful when using this road at night or early hours of the morning.
E11: Damansara – Puchong Highway or Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP)
Chua Boon HuatThe stretch after the LRT station from Damansara Utama towards Subang Jaya and Sunway is a sharp corner with a speed limit of 60 km per hour.
On this highway, Malaysia lost its national hockey player Chua Boon Huat when his car collided with a tanker that had been watering plants in the early hours of the morning.
Federal Route 1 (Sarawak): Pan Borneo Highway
Pan Borneo HighwayAuthorities have classified close to 40 blackspots on the Sarawak portion of the highway, the most dangerous being Jalan Bintulu to Tanjung Kidurong.
More than 20 people have died in accidents on this stretch in 2011. Upgrading and road improvement of this 2,239km highway began last November and is expected to be completed in 2025.
Federal Route 2: Federal Highway's Motorcycle laneThe motorcycle lane on Malaysia's first highway was initially designed for bicycles, with a speed limit of 60 km per hour. In the 1980s, it was used for motorcyclists so they could avoid accidents with larger vehicles. Built in 1977, the highway stretches 45 km from Port Klang to Kuala Lumpur, making this motorcycle lane one of the longest ones in the country.
Authorities record motorcycle fatalities at an average of 4,000 yearly, and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) reportedly said the figure could be cut down by 30% if motorcyclists were separated from the main traffic through special lanes. But only if lanes were free from potholes and obstacles and if motorcyclists adhered to speed limits through strict enforcement. Last year, the government announced it would spend some RM10million to upgrade these lanes.
