PUTATAN: The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has called for an immediate and comprehensive safety audit of the Pan Borneo Highway construction areas in Sabah, following mounting concerns over accidents, inadequate safety measures and prolonged inconvenience to motorists.
Putatan Upko Division Chief Jason Lee said such measure is needed so as to prevent untoward incidents such as accidents along the Pan Borneo Highway construction areas.
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He said critical accident-prone stretches should be equipped with sufficient road signages, temporary traffic lights, safety cones, road barriers and night lighting to minimise risks to road users.
“We have heard numerous complaints where motorists have driven into potholes, suffered ruptured tyres and serious accidents that have resulted in the loss of lives due to the lack of safety measures at accident-prone areas,” he said.
He said the lengthy construction period has also exposed motorists to numerous hazards, with complaints ranging from vehicles hitting potholes and suffering tyre damage to fatal road crashes allegedly linked to inadequate safety precautions.
He also urged enforcement agencies, particularly the traffic police, to intensify patrols and surveillance along unfinished sections of the highway to curb speeding, illegal racing and other dangerous driving activities.
“I am also proposing some measures to keep our motorists safe especially on the Pan Ban Borneo Highway which is under construction.
“Among them are to put up clear advance warning signs on traffic diversions, adequate placement of road barriers and cones, as well as installing temporary traffic lights where necessary, and sufficient lighting at accident-prone locations, particularly for motorists unfamiliar with the route.
“This is because not all road users travelling on these stretches are local residents. Visitors may not be aware that what was previously a one-way road has become a two-way road, and such confusion could lead to accidents,” he said.
He also proposed holding contractors accountable for accidents caused by negligence, including failing to provide adequate traffic management and safety measures, and compensating motorists who suffer losses as a result.
He urged the government to release data on accidents recorded along the Pan Borneo Highway and identify the contributing factors.
