KUALA LUMPUR – The government plans to lower the speed limit near school areas from 40 km/h to 30 km/h in an effort to reduce accidents involving students, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who chairs the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion, made the announcement following the committee’s second meeting of the year.
Citing police statistics, Zahid reported an average of 67 deaths annually due to road accidents near schools. Last year alone, the police recorded 322 school-related accident cases involving injuries and fatalities.
“The current speed limit is 40 km/h. According to international studies, reducing the speed by just 1 km/h can lower fatalities by 4 to 5%.
“A 5% reduction in average speed can decrease the risk of fatal accidents by 30%,” he told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre (KLC3) today.
However, Zahid did not mention when the ruling would be implemented.
Zahid also highlighted a 8.39% increase in road accidents this year compared to 2023, with motorcyclists being the most affected group, followed by car drivers and passengers.
“Police records show 1,908 deaths from accidents involving motorcyclists, followed by 436 deaths among car drivers and passengers, and 161 pedestrian fatalities,” he added.
Also present at the meeting were Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. – July 15, 2024