KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — Highway operator PLUS Malaysia Berhad should not have delayed Batu Tiga toll plaza’s demolition as it imposes a constant danger to motorists as long as it remains in place, road safety experts said today following a fatal accident.
Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Research Centre head Prof Dr Law Teik Hua said authorities should not assume that all road users are aware that it had ceased operations effective January 1, and the structure will continue to confuse motorists as long as it stands.
“Those familiar with the road may speed through the empty toll booths but there are also those who may slow down because seeing the structure there might make them think it’s still in operation.
“So the way the drivers react will be different and it can potentially cause accidents especially between smaller and larger vehicles,” he told Malay Mail.
Law said if there is no way for the government to speed up the demolition process, they should at least put up large signs to warn drivers of the non-operational toll plaza ahead.
“It is understood that they have no reason to remove it as it would cost them a lot. It is not like they are obligated by law to do so immediately but at least put up big signages to alert the drivers.
“Psychologically, when drivers see these warning signs, they will wonder what is going on and immediately become more cautious by slowing down their vehicles,” he said.
A second fatal accident took place today, killing Fathurezza Khoirul Huda Halimsuyto, 31, and Noor Hidayah Mohamed Rezmi, 27, whose vehicle crashed into the pillars of the disused toll plaza at 12.55am.
In a similar accident on January 15, two motorists lost their lives while another was injured.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while he admitted speeding is the leading cause of fatal accidents in the country, having the structure removed may prevent fatalities.
“Speeding is a serious problem in Malaysia. That being said, authorities should have undertaken the demolition work early. There is a structure there so when people speed in the area, it is worse.
“The risk is still going to be there as long as the structure remains where it is,” he said.
Lee said when the decision was made to cease Batu Tiga’s toll operations, the authorities should have had an effective and immediate plan to remove the structure as it involves various processes that may take some time to complete.
“I am not trying to push the blame on to PLUS but knowing that there is no collection there anymore, there is no reason why they cannot speed up the demolition process.
“When they decided to stop the toll, they should have expedited the removal of all the equipment and signage first before demolishing the concrete structures like the pillars. It certainly poses a danger to motorists,” he said.
Earlier, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the accidents were the result of reckless driving and not the structure itself.
When contacted earlier today, PLUS Malaysia Berhad similarly referred Malay Mail to a January 19 statement that said the removal will only be completed at the end of March.
