Crucial road signs should be maintained for public safety

PETALING JAYA: Signboards that help motorists to navigate or warn them of upcoming hazards are often taken for granted.

Poorly maintained signages in the Klang Valley include those faded or broken as well as those obstructed by overgrown trees or illegal advertisements.

According to Public Works Department (JKR), 125 complaints had been received about faulty road signs between January and June 2024.

These include those damaged in road accidents.

Alliance For a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said poorly maintained signboards were a bane, especially to older road users who rely on them for directions.

“Young people may use navigational apps but some of the elderly don’t have a handphone or may not know how to use such apps,” said Lee, who has been advocating for proper road sign maintenance in the last decade.

He said motorists might need to slow down to read obstructed road signs and this could lead to an accident.

“The road signs must be placed in a way that they can be read from a distance,” he added.

Lee also said a good maintenance policy must be in place to ensure trees were trimmed regularly so that they wouldn’t obstruct road signs.

In a statement, JKR said road safety audits were carried out before the installation of signs to ensure they met public needs and safety.

Signs under JKR’s jurisdiction are maintained twice a year and those which are defective are replaced.

The Road Transport Act 1987 also allows for the removal of structures that obstruct road signs.

Road users who have complaints about road signs may call 03-2610 8888 / 2618 9000, visit jkr.spab.gov.my or kkr.spab.gov.my or email aduan@jkr.gov.my or pcb.spab.gov.my.