SHAH ALAM - Traffic lights, designed to regulate the flow of vehicles and ensure safety at intersections are increasingly being disregarded by motorists, leading to a surge in traffic accidents.
The primary function of these signals is to provide clear instructions to drivers and pedestrians, thereby preventing collisions and ensuring smooth traffic movement.
However, with growing impatience and a lack of enforcement, many drivers are ignoring red lights, failing to yield and engaging in dangerous behaviors such as speeding through yellow lights.
This blatant disregard for traffic signals is not only causing chaos on the roads but also endangering lives.
The frequent occurrence of such violations highlights the urgent need for stricter measures and public awareness campaigns to emphasise the importance of adhering to traffic signals.
Traffic signals, with their universally recognised red, yellow and green lights are fundamental to maintaining order on the roads, yet their significance is often overlooked in our daily routines.
Traffic Light Day which falls on Aug 5 serves as a reminder of the significance of traffic signals in maintaining road safety.
It is a day to reflect on the purpose of these signals and the critical role they play in preventing accidents and saving lives.
The day also provides an opportunity to promote better compliance with traffic rules and encourage responsible driving behavior among all road users.
In recent years, the increasing number of traffic violations, particularly among motorcyclists, has become a significant concern.
Addressing the issue, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it is high time for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in Malaysia.
"The respect for traffic signals, especially among motorcyclists, is diminishing daily.
"Motorcyclists are very prone to risk and accidents if they do not comply with traffic rules.
"Traffic signals are meant to direct traffic and provide safety for road users. Still, if these lights are not followed, the risk of accidents increases significantly," he told Sinar Daily.
Lee said traffic signals were designed to direct traffic and ensure the safety of road users.
However, the growing non-compliance among motorcyclists is undermining this purpose.
"Traffic signals are meant to direct the traffic and provide safety for the road users but if these traffic lights are not obeyed, I'm sure the risk of having accidents is high," he said.
Based on his observations, Lee reveals that out of 10 motorcyclists, seven of them do not follow the traffic light rules and ride through red signals.
"Out of ten motorcyclists, seven do not stop at red signals. They just ride through, and this happens every day," he noted.
Lee further expressed his utmost disappointment over the apparent disregard for traffic lights, stating that many motorcyclists exhibit impatience and a lack of concern for road safety.
"They do not respect the traffic lights. As long as they don't see any vehicle crossing their path, they dash through, even on rainy days when visibility and road conditions are poor," he said.
Highlighting the critical need for enforcement, Lee called on the traffic police to take immediate action urging them to launch an enforcement campaign.
"The time has come for the traffic department to launch a serious enforcement campaign against those who disrespect traffic signals. We cannot allow this to continue," he urged.
Therefore, he proposed several measures to address the issue, including increased police presence at accident-prone intersections and the use of closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) to monitor and penalise traffic violators.
"Traffic lights are there for a reason; they are part of the law and order on our roads. It is high time for a special campaign and operations to enforce compliance," Lee urged.