MOST road accidents in Malaysia, including incidents involving smart lane usage, are largely caused by human negligence rather than flaws in road design, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said on Wednesday.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that behaviours such as speeding, dangerous lane changes without signalling and the misuse of emergency lanes outside designated smart lane operating hours have been identified as the main contributors to traffic accidents nationwide.
According to him, many drivers continue to disregard traffic regulations, including encroaching into emergency lanes, actions that compromise the safety of other road users.
“Overall, the accident rate in smart lane zones is very low and not significant when compared with the volume of vehicles passing through these areas,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session.
Alexander added that safety analyses conducted at several smart lane locations showed a notable reduction in accident rates after the zones were activated.
“Analysis at several smart lane locations, including the Putra Mahkota to Southville stretch, recorded a reduction of up to 22 per cent compared with the period before the zone was activated,” he said.
“Meanwhile, the stretch from the Rawang Rest and Service Area to the Rawang Interchange recorded a reduction of up to 74 per cent in accident rates,” he added.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Manndzri Nasib (BN–Tenggara) on whether independent safety assessments had been carried out on smart lanes and the number of accidents recorded in those zones.
Looking ahead, Alexander said the ministry is shifting away from short-term measures towards more sustainable infrastructure solutions as part of its long-term strategy to improve traffic flow and road safety.
Among the initiatives are phased widening and upgrading works along the North–South Expressway from Senai Utara to Machap, as well as the Juru–Sungai Dua Traffic Dispersal Project aimed at easing congestion in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia.
He said lane-widening works along the Kuala Lumpur–Karak Highway are also part of the government’s long-term plan to reduce congestion, particularly during festive seasons.
In addition, the transition to a Multi Lane Fast Flow toll collection system is expected to further streamline toll payments and reduce congestion at toll plazas.
Alexander also highlighted efforts to encourage a shift in transport modes through strategic projects such as the East Coast Rail Link and improvements to the commuter rail system, aimed at reducing the number of vehicles on major highways, especially during peak holiday periods. - January 21, 2026
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