Call for speed bumps, bridge on killer stretch
KOTA KINABALU: The relevant authorities are urged to seriously consider building a pedestrian bridge, some speed bumps and impose strict speed limits on the stretch of Jalan Coastal running from Centre Point Sabah to the flyover at the Wawasan Plaza traffic intersection here.
In making the call yesterday, social activist Robert Foo pointed out that this stretch of the multilane carriageway that channels traffic into and away from the city centre is arguably the busiest route here.
Though it is very risky, hundreds of pedestrians cross the wide road daily between Asia City and Api Api Centre or Centre Point Sabah, and unless they are alert and prepared to dash across, the possibility of them being hit is high, he said.
Foo said the elderly pedestrians and children are at greatest risk of being knocked down by vehicles while crossing the stretch.
He noted that a number of fatal and less serious accidents have occurred on this road, the latest incident occurring on March 1 when a 72-year-old senior citizen was killed when trying to cross from Centre Point Sabah to Asia City.
He said he had written to the then Kota Kinabalu Mayor a few years ago suggesting that an overhead bridge be built there for the safety and convenience of pedestrians, including scores of tourists.
To date, there appear to be no plans by the authorities to address the daily safety hazards faced by pedestrians.
Foo said he has heard complaints about the stretch being treated as a race track by numerous reckless motorists who would roar down at high speeds from the traffic intersections at Centre Point Sabah and Wawasan Plaza the moment the light turns green.
In fact, a group of illegal racers used to turn the stretch from the Wawasan Plaza to Centre Point Sabah into a late night race track until the police put a stop to their activity, which was both dangerous and a nuisance to the nearby Api Api Centre residents.