Consumers groups are not jumping for joy over discounts and toll-free rides along highways during the Chinese New Year holidays.

shaziman abu mansor Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor had said yesterday that motorists using the Kuala Lumpur-Karak and the East Coast highways will not be charged toll from 11.30pm to 4.30am during the festive period.

Discounts of 5-20 percent will be offered on other highways. For example, Plus highway users travelling between midnight and 7am will get a 20 percent discount on the toll charge.

Penang Consumer Protection Association president K Koris Atan questioned the sincerity of the government in providing this travel ‘incentive’.

“Is the government inviting more accidents by encouraging people to drive at night? Is the enforcement good enough to monitor the highways during the wee hours?” he asked.

Koris suggested that highways should be upgraded instead for the safety of the motorists.

“All the highways should be fully lit to ensure that the motorists can see clearly,” he said.

sugar shortage story 080806 fomca director mohd yusof 01 Driving at night could be dangerous, he explained, because of the lack of visibility on highways, as well as due to the “high number” of stalled lorries.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association communications director Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman (left) agreed that it is dangerous to drive late at night.

“One main concern is that our highways are not well lit,” he said.

“It has also been proven that the drivers’ concentration level is lower thus increasing the risk of accidents. Highway accidents are usually very serious as people tend to drive fast  and large commercial vehicles are often involved.”

‘Discourage night driving’

Consumer Association Penang representative RI Uma said that night driving should not be encouraged at all.

 “Most accidents happen during the night and giving discounts is not the best move,” she said.

“If the government really wants to give incentives to the people, why don’t they give the discounts for the whole day?”

plus highway 181108 Road Safety Department director-general Suret Singh declined comment, saying a press conference would be held on the issue tomorrow.

It is understood that the government’s move is intended to reduce congestion during the festive season, as Malaysians flock back to their hometown.

Chinese New Year falls on Sunday.