First and foremost, undeniably driving on federal roads, highways and expressways seem rather smooth or like a breeze nowadays.
In fact, prior to this change of driving habits, it was extremely difficult to drive on the fast lane, as there are motorists who hog the lane with no regard for other motorists behind, driving far below the speed limit allowed whether 110kph on highways or 90kph on federal roads and in some stretches. Luckily this is a thing of the past.
However, it is not 100 percent safe to drive at the top of the speed limit allowed for on the fast lane because there are some crazy motorists who would just cut into your path without giving any signals to cut in or overtake.
So it is still necessary for motorists to drive with alertness and anticipation, that is, be ready and prepared to give the right of way to the other motorist as it will save you from accidents and pains.
Yes, though the road ahead looks clear and safe for a motorist to step on the (accelerator) pedal to quickly proceed to the other side of the stretch, it is shocking to see a crazy motorist suddenly cutting inside your path, the fast lane, in front especially from the left side of your car, let alone, despite there already being little free space in front (between) the two moving cars (yours and the one in front) in the same (fast) lane - even for a small Kancil, to squeeze
inside is impossible.
Noticeably, the driver of the car on the right, moving on the fast lane, had to reduce the speed, to give the right of way, to let the crazy driver cut in.
This is an act of road-bullies. These road bullies or dare-devil drivers should be taken off the road because a minor calculation error on the speed, distance and gap will result in cars colliding with each other.
Therefore, it is imperative the traffic department deploy some plain-clothes policemen to carry out an ‘invisible’ sort of inconspicuous campaign to nab these reckless, hazardous, dare-devils and road-bullies, to give them a hefty fine on the spot for doing such reckless and hazardous acts that are life-threatening. Well, if they cannot pay on the spot, then pull them into the station and have them locked up for one day or night.
Stop tail-gating on the road
By the way, there is another thing the traffic policemen should check out on a regular basis and that is to pull up bus drivers who tail-gate motorists on federal roads, highways and expressways because in the first place they are not supposed to drive in the fast lane at
great speed and, secondly, it is highly dangerous to the motorist driving up front.
Of course, they can overtake a slow-coach or someone who is hogging the road - driving far below the speed limit allowed for that lane. Oh yes! They should also nab motorists driving a 4x4 or four-wheel-drive or MPV vehicle because some of them are seen tail-gating small cars, too, on these roads.
Think about it, whenever on wheels it is safer for everyone if you exercise courtesy, and give the right of way.
LAU BING is a community activist and writer in Subang Jaya.
