PRIORITISE SAFETY, WARNS RTD

cbt@nst.com.my

ELECTION fever is here, and besides the assortment of flags and posters that can be found all over the cities and countryside, some party paraphernalia is bound to make its way onto our roads.

The regulation of this, however, has not been overlooked by the Road Transport Department (RTD), which reminded motorists to prioritise safety of other road users when installing such flags.

On Thursday, Bernama quoted the Perlis RTD director Shahrul Azhar Mat Dali as saying the agency would monitor vehicles that installed party flags that obstructed the view of other drivers ahead of the 14th General Election.

“In their enthusiasm to fire the spirits of party supporters on either side, there is a possibility that the flags they install may disturb the concentration of drivers,” he said, as reported by the news agency.

“We will look at the way the flags are installed. If necessary, we will give advice.”

Shahrul Azhar said the size of the flag should be appropriate so as not “cause accidents during strong winds and rain”.

However, flags are the most minor distractions that road users may find on the roads.

A quick search on Youtube will yield some interesting finds from previous elections. These include a working “tank” being driven down the road, as well as a “jet” on a motorcycle , both wrapped in party symbols.