In the US, oval racing tracks that host NASCAR and Indy Car Racing have SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers – “soft walls” that are designed to absorb the energy during the impact of an accident.
Well, back here in Malaysia, the Road Safety Department Of Malaysia (JKJR) is on a mission of its own – not to turn our roads into racetracks, but to rethink how road dividers are designed from the ground up. The JKJR is to begin the process of reviewing materials used for road dividers in a bid to reduce the severity of impact to vehicles involved in accidents.
Abd Ghafar Yusof, JKJR director general, said the Public Works Department (JKR) will conduct further studies into the basic structure and design of road dividers, and perhaps even look into the feasibility of adding elements such as drains and bushes next to it.
“Among the proposals are to change the metal divider to other material and to ensure all dividers are designed with the tip embedded in the ground to avoid the metal penetrating the vehicles when accident occurs,” he elaborated.
He added that bushes planted next to road dividers can also serve a purpose as it may contribute towards absorbing the impact of a collision. Nonetheless, Abd Ghafar noted that such safety enhancements can only go so far, and that ultimately, drivers need a wholesale change in terms of their attitude to stay safe.
Abd Ghafar highlighted the negligence of drivers as a leading cause of accidents, and the recent spate of operations by the JPJ and the police did play an important role in reducing the accident rate nationwide.
“Operations carried out were effective, as road users are more careful when they noticed the presence of authorities, so we have proposed more enforcement officers from the Road Transport and police to be placed in specified locations,” he said.
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That’s all good. But for roads that don’t have any dividers, there should not be any exposed poles or trees in the roadside (or run-off areas as they are called in motor racing) cos those are dangerous obstacles in the event of a crash and can cut cars into half. Bushes would be fine cos they help to slow down cars and reduce impact, and looks much nicer than dividers. But of course a divider is still be best for impact reduction.
baru nak ambil tindakan kah…
anyway..better late than never.. please..
Hi Paultan,
I think its Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) not JPJ if you mean the statements came from Mr. Abd Ghafar Yusof.
What its the point when there are no enforcement…you will still see motorcycle running on the fast lain in federal high way.
WTH? This article has nothing to do with enforcement. Thats why I always say, the Malaysian public dun appreciate all these effort to improve safety. They only want milotins.
Eh joe. Do you need ur mother to guide you when you pee in the toilet?
federal highway is a different story,
govt need to provide safer motorcycle lane to convince motorist to use it.
the existing metal road dividers are death traps…this is nt the first tine tis issue brought up but sadly everytime ended with ” no budget to teplace them”…few fatal accidents in the last few weeks directly caused by tgese metal dividers piercing the car and occupants…no VSC or traction control can save u
what about airbag technology applied to the divider design? they not going to consider it?
then what about using Used tires to act as divider, good for impact absorption at low cost yet save the environment.
Simple solution. Divided highways just replace with concrete barrier. So much safer and stronger! Metal beam guard rails can be used on local streets and rural roads where the speed limit is much lower.