In the future, motorcyclists travelling using the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh) and Kuala Lumpur – Putrjaya Highway or Maju Expressway (MEX) may have to find an alternative route as the authorities are mulling over a new ruling to ban motorcyclists from using both highways for safety reasons.
According to Works Minister, Datuk Fadillah Yusof, the government is in the midst of finalising a request from the operators of Akleh and MEX to enforce the ruling.
“They (concessionaires) are appealing to us to withdraw the permission for motorcycles to use the highways. Right now, (motorcycles are) one of the major causes of accidents on these two highways. That was as far as record is concern, which was recorded by both highway operators,” said Datuk Fadhillah Yusof.
In June 2008, the then Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed had given temporary approval for motorcyclists to use Akleh and MEX for free of charge to ease the burden of the people in view of the high price of petrol (RM2.70 per litre) at the time. While it might not be easy to withdraw the privilege for motorcycles, the government is deeply concerned about the safety record of bikers.
Since motorcycles were allowed to use both highways 7 years ago, a total of 382 road crashes involving bikers with 15 fatalities were recorded on MEX highway. The 7.9-kilometre Akleh highway on the other hand, has seen about half a million motorcyclists using it monthly, with an average of 4 motorcycle crashes and 3 fatalities involving bikers every month.
Fadhillah said that if the new ruling came into affect, motorcyclists will definitely object because that is the fastest way for them to get to their destinations.
Fadhillah also said that he was compiling all the accident reports involving or caused by motorcyclists. If there’s enough proof or evidence, they might consider the ban.
Source: The Sun
