Hazardous roads in Georgetown

Urgent steps need to be taken by the authorities to address the movement of vehicles along a few key roads in Georgetown. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary road accidents during peak hours.

Probably the most hazardous roads are those encircling the Penang High Court building, comprising of Lbh Light, Lbh Farquahar and Jln Masjid Kapitan Keling. These three roads are the arteries to the banking and commercial hub of the city. Moreover, the Light Street Convent, St. Xavier’s Institution and Bank Negara located in the vicinity make matters worse. Vehicles just fly past as if nobody else exists.

People going to the High Court have to cross these congested roads. Even though there is a traffic light with pedestrian crossing opposite Jln Green Hall, a feeling of danger constantly lurks in this area. There is always a bottle-neck at the traffic light. Often vehicles cut in after overtaking the vehicles waiting in cue before the traffic light.

The yellow speed breaker stripes are worn down thin and are not effective. The authorities should construct proper speed-breakers or humps to slow down the fast moving vehicles. The speed-breakers should be clearly marked and road signs set up to warn motorists to slow down.

Automated Enforcement System (AES) should be installed to book errant motorists who speed or overtake and cause chaos.

The other three roads that need urgent attention are Jln Macalister between the junction of Jln Perak and junction of Jln Anson; Jln Residensi in front of General Hospital and lastly Jln Masjid Negeri in front of Free School.

CAP urges the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure that the speed of vehicles travelling along hazardous roads in Georgetown are controlled by providing necessary features like speed-breakers and that errant motorists are booked through AES.

Letter to the Editor, 8 May 2012