KUALA LUMPUR: Safety conditions on Smart Lane sections of highways remain under control, with accident figures described as minimal when measured against traffic volume, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the ministry, through the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), places safety as a priority before and during the implementation of the Smart Lane initiative.
He said that prior to activation, the MHA engaged concessionaires and consulted relevant agencies, including the Road Safety Institute of Malaysia, the police and the Road Transport Department.
“Each Smart Lane location undergoes a detailed assessment by the MHA and concessionaires, involving certified professional engineers.
“The evaluation covers road geometry, shoulder strength, visibility at entry and exit points, and the suitability of rejoining the main carriageway without disrupting traffic flow,” he said.
Nanta was responding to a question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on whether all Smart Lane locations had undergone independent safety assessments and the number of accidents recorded on the lanes.
He said studies at several locations showed a reduction in accidents following Smart Lane activation.
According to him, accident rates on the Putra Mahkota-Southville stretch dropped by up to 22 per cent, while the Rawang rest and service area (R&R) to Rawang Interchange section recorded a reduction of up to 74 per cent compared with pre-activation figures.
Nanta said most reported accidents were attributed to human factors rather than road design, citing speeding, unsafe lane changes without signalling, and use of emergency lanes outside operational hours.
He also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to long-term measures to address traffic congestion, particularly during festive periods.
Among the key initiatives are the phased widening and upgrading of the North–South Expressway from Senai Utara to Machap, the Juru-Sungai Dua Traffic Dispersion Project (PTJSD), widening works on the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway, and the transition to the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll collection system.
The government is also encouraging greater use of public transport through projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and improvements to the commuter rail system to reduce traffic volume on major highways.
“All these measures are expected to benefit millions of highway users and improve both safety and traffic flow,” he said.
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