KUCHING: PAS Sarawak Youth Council (DPPNS) today suggested that no heavy vehicles be allowed to use the Pan Borneo Highway for two days before Gawai Dayak and Aidilfitri and two days after the festivals.
This move, said DPPNS youth chief Hamdan Sani, would ensure the safety and comfort of the Pan Borneo Highway users throughout the Gawai and Aidilfitri festivities.
He also suggested that all construction work along the highway be stopped during the festive seasons.
Hamdan recommended that the Pan Borneo Highway route with on-going construction be well marked with security tools and alert markers for the benefit of the highway users.
He pointed out that according to statistics released by enforcement agencies, the number of vehicles using the highway during the festive seasons would increase by 20 to 30 per cent, with a total of 100,000 vehicles per day.
“DPPNS would like to make some recommendations to the authorities to ensure that the drivers and users of the Pan Borneo Highway reach their destinations safely,” explained Hamdan.
He also suggested that the authorities form a task force team so that agency assets could arrive immediately at the scenes to help in the event of undesirable events.
“Create more space and rest and treat (R&R) areas along the Pan Borneo route and identify the accident ‘hotspots’ to warn the public to be more careful in the areas,” he said.
Hamdan added that there was also a need to improve traffic awareness campaigns during the festive seasons with the tagline “Safe Drive, Remember Your Loved Ones”.
He also advised all drivers who use Pan Borneo Highway during the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya festive seasons to be patient and to obey the law so that this year’s celebrations would be celebrated with joy.
