Motorists advised to be extra cautious at traffic light junction

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BOOBY TRAP: The traffic lights turn red even before vehicles reach the other side of the junction.

KUCHING: The police are advising motorists to take extra precaution when approaching the traffic lights at Mile 15, Kuching-Serian Road which sometimes malfunction.

Several motorists have expressed concern for their safety as five fatal accidents have occurred at the spot since last year, with two happening just three days ago.

Quexi, 35, an electrical engineer at a food processing company nearby said: “The lights change very quickly and motorists have to reach the other end of the junction in two seconds in order to be safe and ridiculously with the frequent breakdown of the traffic lights, there have been three crashes last week with two fatal.

“I phoned the Public Works Department (PWD) and they said there was a dispute over who was responsible for the lights. They then said it was the responsibility of the council and there was a serious technical fault.

“It’s extremely unfortunate for my colleague, that in the week of chaotic traffic lights failure last month, he succumbed to serious injuries suffered during a crash after coming back from Siburan Bazaar. It is even more dangerous in the mornings and evenings because there are more traffic and everyone is rushing to reach the office and home after work,” he lamented.

Bruce Nasim, a resident of the nearby village, told The Borneo Post: “Obviously there is some problem with  the traffic lights’ timing that need to be fixed by the relevant party but no one seems to care or does someone really need to die again before they sort it out?  Last year, my nieces’ parents died after their car collided with a 4X4 wheel truck which tried to beat the traffic lights and a few years ago our village headman also died at the crossing in the same manner.

“And on days when the traffic lights do not function at all, drivers have to take the risk by negotiating the junctions with other motorists coming from different directions.

“The accidents include a crash on Saturday evening, which led to a motorcyclist being taken to Sarawak General Hospital for treatment.”

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said they had been liaising with the council and PWD, that said there was a significant and complex problem with the lights.

While efforts are being made to rectify the fault, police are urging drivers approaching the traffic light junction to slow down and be mindful of other vehicles and even avoid the route if possible.