Tiang calls for traffic lights outside school after student hit by 4WD in Sibu

SIBU (March 14): Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government II Michael Tiang  has called for stronger safety measures around schools following an accident in which a 16-year-old student was injured after being hit by a four-wheel-drive vehicle outside her school.

The student was struck by the vehicle while crossing the road in front of SMK Tung Hua along Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg on Friday, and sustained injuries to her head and body.

Tiang described the incident as unfortunate and stressed that safety for schoolchildren must be prioritised through better infrastructure and traffic control.

“I would say it is an unfortunate accident involving a car and a schoolgirl who was trying to cross the road in front of the school. Incidents like this highlight the need for proper safety measures to protect students,” he told reporters after officiating the launch of the Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) programme for the N.54 Pelawan constituency at Jumbo Grocer here on Saturday.

He said he has instructed the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to consider installing a pedestrian crossing traffic light in front of the school to improve safety for students who need to cross the busy road.

According to him, the proposed system would include a zebra crossing, traffic lights and a countdown timer to regulate traffic during peak school hours.

“The crossing traffic light will operate only during specific hours such as before and after school so that it will not affect the general traffic flow,” he explained.

Tiang added that traffic lights would be more effective than signboards alone, as they compel motorists to stop when students are crossing the road.

Besides the proposal for SMK Tung Hua, he said several other schools in his constituency are also being considered for similar safety improvements, including the possibility of constructing pedestrian bridges where road conditions allow.

He noted that consultants have already been asked to design a pedestrian bridge for schools along Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah, where the road width makes such infrastructure feasible.

For SMK Tung Hua specifically, Tiang said he had also planned to build a covered walkway along the school fence so students waiting for their parents would have a sheltered and safer place.

“Safety of children is our utmost concern. Measures like pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and other infrastructure must be considered seriously to prevent unnecessary accidents in front of schools,” he said.