BRINCHANG FOLK FEAR NEW ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM
BRINCHANG residents are seeing red as some motorists are ignoring the rules for the new one-way traffic system in Cameron Highlands.
Regional Environment Awareness Cameron Highlands (Reach) president Ramakrishnan Ramasamy said they were worried it would lead to accidents.
“There are hardly any traffic policemen on the roads. Accidents are waiting to happen.”
Ramakrishnan said the lack of signs to indicate one-way traffic was contributing to the problem.
Resident Balaiah Muthusamy, 65, said the new system had been disruptive to residents.
Balaiah, a senior citizen, said traffic now passed through residential areas, including Flat Muhibbah in Jalan Pekan where there were many residents.
“The street has been experiencing rising traffic volume, disturbing residents at all hours, especially during weekends and public holidays.
“I urge the authorities to consult the community and reconsider the oneway traffic plan.”
Brinchang folks hoped that Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah would look into their plight.
Ramasamy said a petition of more than 1,000 signatures was submitted to Tengku Abdullah’s aide-de-camp in April.
The one-way traffic system was under trial until the middle of this month. Cameron Highlands police chief Deputy Superintendent Hasadid A. Hamid said motorists who ignored traffic rules were partly to blame for the situation.
He said there were sufficient signs, but some road users drove dangerously.
He said the decision to introduce the one-way system and change the traffic flow was taken to ensure safety and reduce congestion.
Cameron Highlands District Council president Datuk Zainal Abidin Md Amin said the system had been extended for another month, starting from May 18.
He said this allowed for further studies to be conducted by the council, police and Public Works Department.
“The findings will be tabled in two months from now, and from there we will decide if the one-way traffic system should be permanent or otherwise.”
Zainal Abidin said the viability of the system had been exaggerated by certain parties.
“Based on our study, more than half of the population in Brinchang are supportive of the new system.”
Zainal Abidin said: “We have also gathered feedback from tourists and they support the system as it has eased traffic flow.”