Calling it ‘right lane’ is ambiguous when clarity is needed

 

RECENTLY, there were many reports with headings such as “Right lane ban is not practical”; “Heavy vehicles prohibited from using right lane on highways”; and “Left lane only for heavy vehicles: Transport Ministry enforces stricter highway safety rules, including speed limiters”.

Earlier, Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan had pointed out that the above-mentioned prohibition was gazetted in 2015 but has yet to be enforced.

Based on news reports, reactions by commercial vehicle NGOs were mixed. Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali and Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Lorry Operators Association secretary-general Alvin Choong gave contrasting views.

To me, only a two-lane road has a left or right lane, or an inner or outer lane. The left lane is meant for slower vehicles, and the right lane for faster vehicles and for overtaking.

When there are no double lines and no oncoming traffic, the opposite lane can also be used for overtaking.

The above also applies to two-lane highways but with a divider to prevent traffic from veering to the opposite lane. However, vehicles travelling at breakneck speed could easily bring down guard rails and many people have been severely injured or perished in high-speed crashes.

For highways with three lanes, they should be called left lane, centre lane, and overtaking lane. The left lane is for slower private vehicles, the centre lane for faster private vehicles and within speed limit, and the outermost lane for overtaking only, not for hogging by cruising at maximum speed limit.

For heavy vehicles to adhere to the ruling, they should normally be driven on the left lane, and the centre lane for overtaking.

They should not be driven on the outermost lane except in emergencies. If this is the rule, then it ought to be clearly communicated and strictly enforced.

YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.