Traffic Light System In Malaysia – Making Full Use Of It

Supposing, just supposing if there were no traffic light system around.

What will probably happen?

Accidents! And more accidents.

In fact, there would be “chaos”.

Failure to obey traffic lights, contravenes Section 119 (2) of the Akta Pengangkutan Jalan ’87. A RM300 fine!

Malaysian driving instructors, who like me, allow new drivers and inexperienced students to cross “Cross” junctions and “T” junctions are in fact courting danger.

What these instructors should keep in mind is, use the “traffic light” where ever possible. Believe me, it’s safer.

Why are traffic light system recommended?

1) There’s a systematic flow of traffic.

2) The time to wait is proportionately adjusted.

3) Traffic from the other side will not dare to proceed, as this means “beating the traffic lights”. An offence!

4) Traffic lights are actually safer.

So to all drivers including instructors as well, it’s more advantageous and safer to use the “traffic lights” if you can.

However, there are still accidents happening at traffic lights junction.

There will always be drivers who are stubborn and won’t follow rules.

There are others who are impatient.

In reality, Red means “Stops”.

Green indicates “Go”.

What does “amber” or Yellow indicate?

In case you are not aware yet, amber actually means “Stop”!.

If all drivers were to stop at Yellow, I’m rather certain, there will hardly be any accidents at traffic lights.

Sometimes, we cannot entirely put the blame on drivers themselves.

Believe, me, some traffic lights appear to be a little crazy.

It’s green and you’re going through and out of a sudden, it turns “Red”.

When you have crossed the White line, what are you supposed to do?

You cannot very well stop suddenly!

Traffic from the back will obviously crash into you.

The correct procedure in such a situation is, Follow Through!

But some policemen don’t seem to concord with this line of thought.

They immediately summon us.

Many drivers who are caught in similar situation such as this feel it’s time wasting going to court.

They give in and “Pay the fine”.

This morning, an Indian bus driver met me at the Driving Institute grounds.

He has earlier met a friend and seeked his help to settle a traffic lights summon.

Sadly, a month had already passed by.

The runner has yet to be seen or heard of.

The tale it is hope will remind readers not to get into similar encounters.

Finally, to all instructors, drivers old and new alike, use the “traffic lights system” more often.

Eventually, it is hoped, it will decrease the number of accidents currently taking place.

For those who have succeeded making use of friends and runners services to pay summons, good luck to you.

Keep the receipts well.

You’ll need them one day.

A word of reminder before we stop.

At the cross junction where the traffic light is located, there’s a “Yellow box”.

Stopping in this yellow box is also an offence.

The fine?

Another RM300.


By | 2017-05-01T02:23:22+08:00 July 12th, 2009|Driving In Malaysia|6 Comments

About the Author:

6 Comments

  1. Ping January 20, 2011 at 2:19 pm - Reply

    Sometimes I am force to stop at the yellow box especially there is high traffic ~
    I sick of this kind of habit because breaking the law~
    Anyway can avoid it?

    Thank in advance

    • Cikgu Yap January 25, 2011 at 1:20 pm - Reply

      You can be summoned if you’re in the yellow box. Try your best to avoid entering the box whenever possible.

  2. low December 21, 2011 at 7:27 pm - Reply

    Dear Cikgu, yesterday I have been summoned by a police which they set up after the traffic light. I ask the officer what is my offense and he told me I have cross a red light which is not TRUE. He even said his colleague saw me crossed the red light from observing at crossed road ahead. The incident is like this, when I going to cross traffic light, it has turn amber which the distance is about 5 metres from the white line and I am cruising at around 60 KM/H. I couldn’t in time to break and I have to go through the traffic light and once I go through over, it has turn red. I am sure I am just cross the amber light and which is not an offense. I’ve gone through the Wikipedia, it is said is not an offense to cross an amber light by law. I am really miserable right now. What is your advise on this Cikgu? I have driving experience of 14 years and I never have any offense on traffic light and will this will be my first time?

    Best regards,

    Low

    • Cikgu Yap December 22, 2011 at 4:47 pm - Reply

      Even with 14 years driving experience, there is always the first time for everything. If only you have read my article on “Traffic Lights” earlier, you’ll surely would have read the I said, “amber” means stops. Hope you’ll learn from your mistake and in future to respect traffic lights.

  3. low December 23, 2011 at 12:55 am - Reply

    I am cruising at 60 km/h and 5 metres away from the white line. If I brake immediately, my vehicle will stop at 16.55 metres away from the point I hit the brakes. Its mean 11.55 away from white line. Assuming, my vehicle travels at 55 km/h (this is to minimize stopping distance) and 8 metres, it will be 5.907 metres away from the white line. What is safe or not, I believe you should know better than me. After all, the implement for traffic law is for safety but yet our government didn’t improve.

    Anyway, the officer don’t have any hard evidence to convince my guilt. Second, they don’t have any sign showing that there is a road block. Third, it is clearly an unannounced operation.

    This makes me unsatisfactory.

    • Cikgu Yap December 25, 2011 at 10:34 pm - Reply

      Studying your situation carefully, with all the evidence you have given, you certainly have a case to fight for. At the speed you were going, the authorities should have accepted your explanation of follow through. Further, all road blocks should be accompanied by proper warning signs for safety purposes. If you choose to fight the case in the courts of law, you have a good case on your side. Personally, I feel the magistrate will side you and throw the summons out.

Leave A Comment