1.9M VEHICLES EXPECTED ON NSE

Drivers told to check PLUS travel advisory and plan routes to avoid congestion

PLUS Malaysia Bhd expects massive congestion on the North-South Expressway (NSE) during the weekend, with an estimated 1.9 million vehicles travelling at the end of the Chinese New Year holiday.

This is an estimated 24 per cent increase from the 1.5 million vehicles on NSE on any given day.

From the north, the congestion is expected to occur in Perak first on the Changkat Jering to Kuala Kangsar stretch, followed by the Sungai Perak-Menora Tunnel stretch to Ipoh.

Traffic is also expected to be heavy on the stretch from Simpang Pulai to Gopeng.

Other congestion-prone stretches are Gopeng-Tapah, Bidor-Sungkai, Sungkai-Slim River and Bukit Beruntung-Rawang.

PLUS advised drivers to take note of these congested stretches and plan their travel accordingly. A spokesman said most jams during this festive period would start at 10am.

Drivers can look up the PLUS travel advisory at https://twitter.com/plus2u/media, download the PLUS mobile app or contact PLUS at 1800-88-0000.

Federal police Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department director Datuk Azisman Alias said he was concerned that motorists would rush back to the city on the same day.

He said if this was unavoidable, they must show patience while enduring the long jams and not speed.

“Drivers should also get enough rest.”

Azisman said policemen would be on standby along the highways to ensure their safety. He said Op Selamat 14 would be carried out until Feb 12.

Azisman said Op Selamat 14 had shown a decrease in the number of accidents so far.

“On Day 11 of Op Selamat, there were 15,464 accidents, down from the previous year’s figure of 15,495. The number of fatal accidents decreased to 130 from 174 reported last year. The number of road deaths stood at 156 compared with 186 during the corresponding period last year.”