Why are the police allowing motorcyclists a free hand on our roads?

While the nation is being gripped by elections' fever it is just as important that the media pays some attention to what is happening of late on all our roads.

The media's highlight will probably enable the road traffic authorities to take the needful action before we witness a spade of uncalled-for road accidents.

Of late it is increasing becoming very challenging for motorists to navigate the roads to and from work because of a rule-less invasion by motorcyclists. Motorcyclists are now seen riding between cars - on the left, centre and right of vehicles.

The motorcyclists also seem to zoom past crawling vehicles in droves without any care for their safety and that of damaging the cars with side body scretches.

No longer the rule?

Many motorists will vouch that the old rule where motorcyclists are required to keep to the left of the left lanes at all times is no more been followed. Even policemen on motorcycles are seen squeezing their way between cars on the right lanes.

In one instance, a traffic cop was seen shouting at a long line of crawling cars to give way to the speeding motorcyclists by moving to the very edge of the right lane meant for cars.

This is very noticeable not only at peak times but even on the expressways like the North-South KL-Seremban motorways.

Threatening

Many car owners are crying foul having got their side wing mirrors - left and right, damaged by these motorcyclists all too often.

What is even more frightening is the fact that these wheezing in-and-out motorcyclists will blare their horns if the cars decide to switch lanes to make the necessary left or right turns. They make the car drivers feel threatened and would even zoom in front and brake suddenly as if threatening to beat up drivers.

Now the traffic police need to explain how come such dangerous pratices are allowed and seemingly encourage too.

Let us hope that with this highlight the authorities will look into the dangerous trend and put back some order on our roads before getting to read about nasty accidents and bloody beatings on our roads.

Meanwhile the road transport authorities must get back to their drawing boards to find ways and means to bring back the well intended motorcycle lanes too.

Malaysia Chronicle