IT would be a rather belated decision to enforce a law to ensure all road users use the right lane on roads, highways and expressways in cities and towns.
To do that, the government should set a maximum speed limit for each lane by painting it over with bright yellow, and that applies to all existing lanes.
Most major roads in Malaysia are choked with all types of vehicles at all hours of the day and night, including on public holidays.
Not only that, there are already too many cars on the road.
By right, the government should control the registration of new cars and other types of vehicles to ensure the roads are not congested.
Singapore has put a limit on the registration of new cars, motorcycles and buses sold in the republic a long time ago.
Yet, Singaporeans are still complaining that there are too many vehicles on the road.
However, it could be worse if there was no control at all.
In Singapore, buyers of vehicles have to meet requirements before they can make a purchase. They must also have a Certificate of Entitlement (COE).
The COE is issued by the Transport Ministry to a prospective buyer for a price that is quoted on a weekly or monthly basis. So, it usually fluctuates and is dependent on how the Singapore government wants to stagger automobile sales for a certain period.
The government just cannot put a stop on the sale of new vehicles in the country as it is not good for business and employment.
To use existing infrastructure, or because of restrictions on land use for roads, the Transport Ministry can:
USE the lay-by lane. The lane can be turned into an emergency lane strictly for use by drivers of taxis, buses, ambulances, police vehicles, fire trucks and, optionally, to a motorist sending a critically ill person to the hospital; and,
PAINT a separate maximum speed limit on each individual lane bright yellow for all the lanes (inner, centre and outer).
Traffic police should also run campaigns to get road users to use the appropriate lane, failing which a summons should be given to the driver. This should be after a six-month campaign to get motorists and road users to comply with the new law.
This should also apply to those who hog the roads and slow coaches using the wrong lane.
Nowadays, if you are caught in traffic, you may find a slow coach in the fast lane, often travelling far below the maximum speed limit. This has to stop. The driver should be pulled over by the traffic police and given a summons.
If all these initiatives are in place, driving will be a breeze. There should be less road accidents when people drive in the correct lane and at the right speed.
LAU BING,
Subang Jaya