Trailers, which are meant to carry heavy goods have to follow strict rules imposed by the authorities. On the highways, trailers have to travel on the inner lane.

Trailers being huge are considered being dangerous and should not be speeding on the highways. Overtaking other smaller vehicles is not encouraged as it is considered dangerous.

Should a trailer sustain a tyre puncture on the middle or outer lane o the busy highway, can you imagine the traffic jam it would cause.

Because of this, the authorities are frequently on the look out for trailer drivers who flout the law of not following the inner lane rule.

But many drivers and motorists do not really understand why the authorities impose such a ruling upon trailer drivers. When crossing a toll booth, in reality, it is the last toll booth collection that can accommodate a trailer going through.

It has no overhead obstruction bars above, thus facilitating a trailer easily going though collection points. So, therefore now you know why authorities insist trailers travel only on the inner lanes, especially on highways.

Before proceeding any further, first of all, know that trailers have a maximum speed limit of 80 km/j. Maximum speed for cars is 110 km/j on federal highways and 90 km/j along state roads.

Earlier in this article, mention has already been made with regards to the problem of the tyre punctures and mechanical problems a trailer might face on the highway.

Should a trailer inevidently face a problem such as tyre puncture, the best location for such a large vehicle to stop on the highway is actually the inner lanes of the highway.

Changing tyres will obviously take ample time. This would definitely incur massive jams. Not forgetting also the dangers it might cause to other motorists as well.

At night, the situation becomes even worse. Should there be no Plus Highway teams to assist the trailers over tyre punctures, the problem would be insurmountable.

But leaving aside problems faced by trailer drivers such as tyre punctures and mechanical problems, the main reason why trailer drivers should make it a point to travel only on the innermost lane is probably this.

Due to the country’s unusual terrain, where hills and mountainous terrain sometimes dominate, toll booths at times are built at the bottom of a descending hill.

The authorities have discovered, the long stretch of road leading towards a toll booth is just right to accommodate a large number of vehicles and traffic for the purpose of toll collection.

Herein lies the danger!

Trailers, going downhill towards a toll collection booth, sometimes do sustain brake failure, ending in dire consequences.

To date, fortunately, no unforeseen traffic accidents in such situations have yet to be reported.

I have full confidence of our trailer drivers in handing those huge trailers they drive. They know while approaching a toll booth, they have to decrease speed to 60 km/j.

But then, accidents can happen. Brake failure can take place.

The Public Works Department engineers have in fact built “special areas”, a few hundred meters on the left side of the highway adjoining the toll booth. This is known as the “sand pit”.

Made mostly of small stones, uneven gravel and rocks, this area allows the trailer driver, stricken with brake failure, to drive into such areas, which would hopefully assist the driver to slow down his speeding, runaway trailer and eventually bring it to a halt safely.

To all trailer drivers, some of whom may or may not realize the above “sand pit” exists in our country, it is no harm learning about it now. Better late than never, they say.

Many motorist are unaware regarding “chevron”. As to whether it’s a French or Latin word is uncertain. But it’s function is to “channel” traffic flow, especially in town areas, as we ascend bridges and “flyovers” or “overhead bridges”. Even along major highways.

I remember quite vividly, a friend, while speeding away out of Batang Kali town, being surpringsingly “flagged” down by a traffic police. The driver, being a “P” driver obviously was unaware why he was stopped.

He had in fact driven across a Chevron area!

Turning to me, sitting next to him, he enquired, “Did I do anything wrong?”

Being a “penceramah” or lecturer for the Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu (K.P.P.) course or the Highway Code lecture for over 40 years now, my answer was definitely “Yes”.

You see, my friend had encroached into a “chevron” area, intended to channel traffic flow. And to make the story short, it is an offense!

Many drivers do not know this. Except me of course.

How my friend and me managed to wriggle out of the above situation, is best not to be divulged here. As the saying goes, “somethings are better left untold”.

Now you might want to know what are chevrons for exactly. First as explained earlier, to channel traffic flow. Second, these designated areas are for “broken down” vehicles.

Traffic police and wardens can push such vehicles into these areas so as to avoid traffic congestion or jams.

Do you get it? Hopefully so!

In short, chevrons are actually some form of jam avoiding device, so important to traffic police nowadays.

Besides, chevron areas which you are advised to stay clear off, as a driver you are also advised to not park your vehicles in certain areas too.

Park you vehicles 3 meters from a hydrant. Likewise, a bus stops too, 9 meters away.

Junctions and corners too are dangerous. Park 9 meters away also. Double lines and single straight white lines are also out of your domain.

And finally the notorious Yellow line painted 12 inches from the road shoulder also denotes “No Parking”, just in case you are unaware.

So much for chevron and other no parking places you ought to know.

Finally, why were my friends and me speeding away out of Batang Kali town when stopped by the traffic police? Well, we were heading towards the Genting Highlands holiday resort.

The police warden at the chevron area won. He caught us committing a traffic offence, didn’t he? So, all drivers beware, Do not do what we did!

Driving A Manual Car Guide Book

Do you want to know how to drive a manual car? If you do, feel free to down load the “Driving A Manual Car For Beginners” e-book. It’s free!

==> Click here to download free e-book now!

Many drivers, including experienced and new ones alike, do not know exactly what the speed limit is in Malaysia.

Below are information provided for your consumption:

30 km/j – In the vicinity of schools

50 km/j – Within the town area

90 km/j – Along highways e.g. The Federal Highway

110 km/j – Along “lebuhraya” or expressways e.g. The North South Expressways (PLUS)

Lebuhraya or “expressways” are distinguished by the presence of:

a) Ticketed payment of tolls

b) The presence of “R and R” (Rest and Recreational) areas along the way.

While driving along the expressways, do you maintain the maximum speed of 110 km/j? Or do you sometimes exceed this limit?

Cars and other vehicles speeding along the expressways at a speed of 110 km/j, are actually traveling very fast.

To the driver at the “emergency” lane trying to change his punctured tyre, such cars traveling at 110 km/j seems to be speeding.

It is extremely dangerous!

To try and change tyres in such a situation is actually inviting disaster.

What then should one do? You can follow the 7 safety steps below when you have a punctured tyre along the expressway.

1) Stop as quickly as possible in the “emergency” lane.

2) Put on the emergency “blinking lights” immediately.

3) Place your “cones” or “triangle” at least 30 metres behind your car.

4) Put on your Front and Rear lights.

5) All passengers should immediately get out of the vehicle. It is dangerous to sit inside the car.

6) The driver and all other passengers should cross over the “steel barricade” and stand behind it.

7) Remember, do not attempt to change the punctured tyres by yourself. You have to wait for the arrival of the PLUS team.

The PLUS team will then place 10 – 15 cones behind your car.

After completion of changing tyres, you could then thank them by providing them some money for drinks.

Whether or not you wish to accept this advice or otherwise, is entirely up to you. Your safety is in your own hands!

Do you like the information on our blog? If you do, you can subscribe to our RSS feed for the latest blog updates. Just click on the Feed Button to the right ==>