Do NOT U-Turn At Any Highway

Another depressing news read this morning (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/8/nation/7575982&sec=nation) whereby 3 young lives were lost. All infants in driving age. The driver's naivety have caused his and 2 of his friend's lives.

Even though it is the dead of midnight, but the Federal Highway never sleeps. Cars go much faster when the highway is empty. Treating is just like the NSE where 110km/h is the speed limit and they go much higher that. But the driver is not all to be blamed. There are "openings" at some location of the center divider along the Federal Highway. Why weren't they blocked? Shouldn't the divider supposed to be there for the whole stretch of the highway?

As an advise, NEVER EVER make a U-turn at ANY highway. That is just pure crazy!

Big vs Small

It is with sadness that I have to read news of a tragic accident which happened yesterday (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/18/nation/7449148&sec=nation) in which 4 family members were killed by a reckless trailer driver. This is another case of a big vehicle bullying a small vehicle.

Why can't the government take action on these stupid and reckless bus, lorry and trailer drivers? When I was overseas in Europe or just nearby Singapore, no large vehicles speed nor drive recklessly. They are governed by law and strictly enforced. Why can't Malaysia do the same? Is it that difficult to do? I guess the only way for this matter to be seriously taken is when a bus, lorry or trailer crash into a politician's vehicle.

In the end, big triumphs over small...

Overtaking On Emergency Lane Galore Part II

Date: 7th November 2010
Venue: NSE South Bound

Car Plate No.: WQW 7119
Car Made: Mazda 3
Car Colour: Green

Car Plate No.: WRT 4434
Car Made: Perodua Myvi
Car Colour: Silver

Car Plate No.: WSC 5934
Car Made: Nissan X-Trail
Car Colour: Grey

Car Plate No.: WSM 2434
Car Made: Proton Persona
Car Colour: Silver

Car Plate No.: WTH 5959
Car Made: Perodua Myvi
Car Colour: Grey

Car Plate No.: WTQ 9093
Car Made: Toyota Altis
Car Colour: White

Overtaking On Emergency Lane Galore Part I

Date: 7th November 2010
Venue: NSE South Bound

Car Plate No.: ABH 9840
Car Made: Proton Saga
Car Colour: White

Car Plate No.: ADL 3828
Car Made: Toyota Prado
Car Colour: White

Car Plate No.: BHY 1306
Car Made: Perodua Myvi
Car Colour: Black

Car Plate No.: JKF 9028
Car Made: Toyota Camry
Car Colour: Gold

Car Plate No.: WKE 5053
Car Made: Hyumdai Atos
Car Colour: Silver

Car Plate No.: WMD 7903
Car Made: Honda Jazz
Car Colour: Silver

5 November 2010

Car Plate No.: KBQ 5178
Car Made: Lorry
Car Colour: White
Venue: Federal Highway
Reason: Driving on the overtaking lane

 

Car vs Trailer

Read the online news today (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/8/nation/7382637&sec=nation) about this accident which claimed 4 lives. What shocked me is that is happened on a down slope while the stupid driver of the car is doing an overtaking maneuver on a double line under rainy conditions. Is gaining some time worth the risk of all the passengers on board? This is just plain stupidity...

16 October 2010 (Pahang Cars Day)

Car Plate No.: CAY 3881
Car Made: Proton Wira
Car Colour: Green
Venue: Balakong
Reason: Driving like an idiot

Car Plate No.: CBF 3393
Car Made: Proton Waja
Car Colour: Silver
Venue: Puchong-Sunway Flyover
Reason: Flashing unnecessarily

Express Coffin

Shocking! Just shocking! Or is it already stale news? Heard over the radio last night about an express bus crashing through the expressway's center guard rail and into a few oncoming cars. I was shocked at first but isn't this has been happening in Malaysia for so long?

I got more information when I read the news this morning (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/10/11/nation/7201269&sec=nation). 12 people were killed as of press time. 4 vehicles were collateral damage. What is the express bus doing in the fast lane? Why was it speeding? Why can't those bus companies hire proper bus drivers? Profits more important than human lives?

I have been taking these express coffins at least once a month when I worked in Singapore, making the commute to and fro KL. My life was in the hands of the bus driver. At least once a month, I was at death's door. Speeding express buses are the norm, be it during the day time or the night time. Some could even go as fast as 130km/h when the speed limit for them is 90km/h on the expressways.

The Government has been all talk on putting in more enforcements on these express bus' companies. Black boxes, undercover officers as passengers, speed limiters, etc. What happened to all these "enforcements" for this ill-fated express bus? Is there a black box? Is an undercover officer one of the casualties? Why didn't the speed limiter activated?

How many should be lost until the day when the express buses are as safe as those found in US or Europe? Thousands of civilians? Or just one politician or cabinet member? News coverage has been quite low-profiled compared to the case of a dead millionaire or the launching of a politician's Facebook page.

Ever since I moved back to Malaysia to work, I have not taken any express bus if  I could drive to the destination. The last express bus I took was a trip from KL to Kuala Terengganu en route to Pulau Redang. Even though the bus was speeding once in awhile, I was more agitated by the coldness of the air conditioning than the speed. I was not worried too much on the speed as the journey was mostly on the trunk road and the express bus couldn't possibly speed too much.

With the emergence of budget airlines, I think it is much safer to fly than to take the express bus. However, I still hope that express buses in Malaysia could be safer, much safer, if not at least to be of the same standard as those found in developed countries. Bus ticket prices keep rising, yet the safety standard remains or went backwards. Even though the express buses used now are quite new and hi-tech, but with a stupid driver at the wheel, the lives of the passengers are definitely not guaranteed. The moment a passenger steps up into the bus, they are at death's door.

The Middle Lane

There's always something special with the middle lane of a three lane road or highway. It is like the gathering place of slow drivers, drivers who should have been on the left lane, but no, they would usually take a leisurely stroll on the middle lane.

I don't have an issue with drivers on the middle lane. They do piss me off when they drive 20%-30% slower than the speed limit. Haven't they studied the rules when taking their license? The middle lane is the FAST lane. If you wanna go slow, by all means use the left lane. Please don't be a nuisance and clog up the middle lane.

If you were doing that in Germany, you would have already been stopped by the police and be given a nice love letter.

Please remember what you have learned in driving school. Left lane is the sloooooow lane, where all of you road hogs should be. The middle lane is the fast lane, which is the reason for a speed limit. And all you hogs don't ever think of using the right lane. That's for overtaking and should be at least 10% faster than the speed limit. Not for you go a wee bit faster than you already are to take over a slower hog than you. You can cause serious accidents with that dumb action!

So, please be considerate and don't clog the middle lane. Fuel is not that expensive according to our beloved government so it won't hurt your wallet by stepping on your accelerator more. If you are so concerned on fuel cost, don't spend your money on Japanese, Continental, nor American cars. Belilah buatan Malaysia and drive the very fuel efficient Kancil or Viva. But do remember to stay in the proper lane.

Sekian terima kasih.

27 September 2010 II

Car Plate No.: WNW 669
Car Made: Toyota Camry
Car Colour: Black
Venue: Kesas Highway
Reason: Squeezing through the emergency lane


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27 September 2010

Car Plate No.: WKA 6970
Car Made: Proton Waja
Car Colour: Silver
Venue: Kesas Highway
Reason: Swerving in and out of traffic like an idiot with full load of passengers


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Penang Bridge Railing vs Nissan Grand Livina

Read in the newspaper today regarding a fatal accident on the Penang Bridge (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/21/nation/7073160&sec=nation) which happened two nights ago.

It is sad to see loss of lives in an accident. Particularly of those so young. What the hell was the driver thinking? Driving at stupid speeds and like an F1 driver on the Penang Bridge. I would understand if he was driving alone but having good friends and the wife on board is enough reason to be courteous on the road.

When a vehicle is loaded with people and luggage, the handling and performance of the vehicle changes. Momentum is increased thereby requiring a different driving style. Braking distance is increased. Braking time is increased. There is more tension and pressure asserted to the tires, suspensions and brakes. In a nutshell, you need to adapt to these changes.

Having a very young driver at the wheel with very little experience, I guess, is the main reason this accident happened. Coupled with the intention of having a good night out with close friends.

In the end, who will suffer? The little baby of the dead couple will suffer. Having to lose her parents without even the chance of getting to know them. Next time when you drive, do think of your love ones.

The railing won hands down...

19 September 2010

Today's traffic was unusually smooth for a Sunday. Heading into Mid Valley without any jam. Must be due to the still ongoing Raya celebrations. Drivers today are generally very good. If only everyday is like this.


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18 September 2010

Car Plate No.: WRK 6689
Car Made: Nissan X-Trail
Car Colour: Black
Venue: Kesas Highway
Reason: Driving like a maniac