KUALA TERENGGANU: Sleepy or careless drivers, trespassing animals, stopping at emergency lanes, damaged, sunken or water-logged roads and recklessness are the major reasons for accidents and fatalities on the East Coast Highway II in Terengganu.
State police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Rosli Abdul Rahman said a majority of fatalities occurred between noon and 4pm along Km370-Km390 between Ajil and Bukit Besi, while most accidents took place between midnight and 6am along Km250-Km270 along the Jabor and Cheneh stretch.
He said since the opening of the highway in 2011, a total of 1,657 accidents involving 50 deaths had occurred along the 184km stretch from Jabor in Kemaman to Gemuruh in Kuala Terengganu.
He said for the first five months this year alone, there were 16 fatalities from 385 cases along the stretch that passes through Kemaman, Dungun, Hulut Terengganu and Kuala Terengganu districts.
"Speeding accounted for 237 cases (61.6 per cent), followed by 38 cases (9.9 per cent) for sleepiness and crashing into the rear of vehicles, while 34 cases (8.8 per cent) concerned accidents involving wild animals.
"The remaining percentage involved accidents following punctured tyres or ramming into cattle," he told a press conference at the state police headquarters in Jalan Sultan Omar.
He advised motorists to adhere to traffic regulations by not speeding, stopping at emergency lanes and driving recklessly.
"Get enough rest, sleep and meals before you travel. Also, take breaks when you are driving long distances to avoid fatigue. There are plans to get sponsors to provide coffee kiosks along the highway for drivers' benefit.
"Also, plan your journey so that you can refuel your vehicle at the various road diversions of the highway, so that you do not run out of fuel," he advised.
To minimise accidents, Rosli said police and the other agencies like the Malaysian Highway Authority, Road Transport Department and Road Safety Department were implementing various safety measures.
Among them, he said, were speed traps, patrols, securing the highway perimeter with barbed wires to prevent animal trespassing, installing blue blinkers, alert and transverse bar marking on road surfaces to slow down vehicles, reflective stickers, chevrons and variable message signs at accident prone areas, and improving road signs.
"We are also distributing pamphlets to animal farmers, motorists and the general public to create awareness on road safety. The relevant authorities are also repairing damaged perimeter fences, drainage, road signs, lightings and road surfaces to improve safety," he said.
Asked on the installation of lay-bys for rest and recreation, Rosli said the government would announce the toll concessionaire by Sept 15 who would be responsible for providing the facility.
"In the meantime, the other agencies will provide mobile food and beverage kiosks along with restrooms along the highway," he said.