KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 ― Authorities may have waived action against motorcyclists using the main carriageway of the Federal Highway because of upgrading works on motorcycle lanes, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.
He said the Public Works Department (PWD) has been upgrading the 8.1km stretch of both bounds of the motorcycle lanes from Kota Darul Ehsan to Kelab Golf Subang since August 2017. Work is expected to complete by April this year.
“During this period, the affected stretch is considered as a work zone and is therefore closed to motorcyclists and they are allowed to use the main carriageway,” he told Malay Mail recently.
He said PWD has informed relevant parties, including the police, about the upgrading works through various channels.
“During the period, it could be that the authorities waived strict enforcement of Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 due to the upgrading work,” the minister added.
Section 79 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 provides that any pedestrian or motorist who fails to conform to the indication given by traffic directions and sign shall be liable to a fine of not less than RM300 and not more than RM2,000.
Fadillah added that PWD has also set up traffic management measures to inform and guide road users of the motorcycle lane's closure along the work zone.
The minister was responding to questions raised over why the authorities were not taking action against motorcyclists using the main carriageway of the Federal Highway.
Malay Mail recently brought to light the growing numbers of motorcyclists using the main carriageway of the Federal Highway due to closures of dedicated motorcycle lanes.
Motorcyclists have said they were left with no choice but to use the main carriageway as the dedicated motorcycle lanes were under repairs.
