Put the brakes on lane hoggers!

Traffic accidents resulting from the actions of offenders impose significant economic costs such as medical expenses, property damage, and legal proceedings. They also lead to lost productivity and additional expenses for transportation companies.

Some Malaysian drivers can be a real pain in the neck. Especially the lane hoggers.

What is lane hogging? It’s a situation when vehicles hog the middle lane (in a three-lane highway). Drivers will stubbornly stick to this lane – never pulling back into the left lane until they arrive at the junction.

(Or in the case of a two-lane road, the right fast lane which is meant for overtaking or speeding – within the speed limit of course.)

There is a term for this peculiar highly prevalent problem in Malaysia, and Sarawak is guilty of it too. It’s called middle-lane syndrome. And quite a number of people suffer from this ‘traffic disease’.

I was faced with this syndrome yesterday morning when sending a family friend off to the airport. I was driving on the left side of a two-lane road when I decided to switch to the right lane which is for overtaking or speeding. But I never got to move ahead of the BMW on the right lane as the driver was driving at a slow pace, taking his sweet time as if the road belongs to his nenek, and even talking on his handphone.

Initially, as a polite gesture I flashed the headlight hoping he would move over to the left. I knew he noticed me flashing the headlight as he was checking the rear view mirror. But apparently he remained adamant and didn’t make way.

Left with no choice, I blared the horn non-stop for a few seconds; only then did the halfwit decide to switch to the left. I wound down the left quarter glass and put up my middle finger as I passed him; at that moment I wished for a truck to run him down.

I guess he must be doing something like 35-40km/h – well below the speed limit for that lane – and there was a pile-up of cars behind him.

Like in most countries, it’s an offence to hog the fast lane in Malaysia. One can be compounded up to RM300 under Rule 4 of the Traffic Road Rules 1959. Nevertheless, driving etiquette detects that one should know when one should give way to others. Though most Sarawakians practise good manners and are courteous on the road, there are some who needs to be taught a painful lesson.

Hogging the fast lane can be dangerous and frustrating for other road users.

Part of the reason why some people behave as such is because they are not properly educated on the laws of our road, and on the Highway Code. Sometimes I wonder how these drivers obtained the licence to drive or ride a vehicle. Kopi-O licence?

I suggest the Road Transport Ministry have stricter driving tests or set a weekly or monthly passing quota. I know people will protest; but what choice do we have when drivers are inconsiderate. It’s about time people were made to understand that a driver’s licence is a privilege and not a right.

Two more suggestions: make it mandatory for drivers to retest every five or 10 years every time they renew their licence; and make those aged above a certain age – this applies to senior citizens – to go for a refresher driving course and sit for a test again. Those who are not physically up to mark should have their licences revoked.

Another irritating habit among Malaysian is using a mobile phone while driving. While driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous, it is equally dangerous and lethal to text or talk and drive. If one is caught using a cell phone while driving, one will be fined RM300, even if one is on handsfree mode and caught holding it.

I particularly find it a nuisance when drivers cut me off without signalling, especially when switching lanes. This more often than not will cause major accidents and counts as reckless driving, and the penalty can be heavy.

Illegal parking is also a big problem. Imagine someone illegally parks the car and blocks your way when you are in a hurry! The authorities can compound you up to RM100, but I have not heard of anyone being compounded.

Now, a new traffic rule came into force nationwide recently, but the authorities in Sarawak somewhat appear to be lax. Motorists who encroach into pedestrian area can be fined RM2,000 or jailed six months.

Under Rule 38 of the Road Traffic Rules (LN166/1959), motorists must not stop beyond the white line at traffic lights and block pedestrian crossings unless they are prevented from moving by circumstances beyond their control or if they must stop to avoid an accident.

While the authorities in Malaya have cracked down on these offenders, I have yet to hear of anyone being summoned or fined in our state. Police or the road authorities should not tolerate those who break this rule. If offenders go unpunished it will encourage a culture of non-compliance, leading to more violations as others may feel justified in breaking the rules if offenders do so with impunity.

For better and more effective enforcement, more CCTV cameras should be installed in public areas, especially at traffic lights, and directly linked to the police to minimise reliance on human resources.

In the meantime, concerted efforts should be made to educate the public on the importance of traffic rule compliance.

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.