Page 429 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

THE GUIDE TO MALAYSIA 421
Help is never far away. Emergency telephones are located every
2 kilometres on all Malaysian expressways.
Peninsular Malaysia and most locations in Sabah and Sarawak.
Malaysia’s long-
distance highways not
only get travellers to
their destination safely
but also offer a pleasant experience along the way. Rest & Service Areas are located every 50 to 80km with eateries, toilets, play areas, petrol stations, surau (Muslim prayer rooms), ATMs and payphones.
They are continuously
being upgraded to cater
to the ever-increasing traffic, which can exceed
2 million vehicles over a busy holiday weekend. Two unique Overhead Bridge Restaurants, located at Sungai Buloh and Ayer Keroh along the NSE, give users the opportunity to dine in air-conditioned comfort above the traffic. Lay-bys are located every 25 to 50km along the highways and provide
parking, toilets, shelters and pay phones for travellers making a quick stop before continuing their journey. Most toll highways no longer accept cash and require prepaid electronic payment systems such as Touch ‘n Go, PLUSMiles
and SmartTAG, while RFID payment stickers are also being introduced.
Traffic information centres broadcast traffic information over the
radio, electronic message boards and the Internet. Luminescent signs visible 24 hours provide vital information including directions and distance
to exits. Additional signs identify rest and service areas, interchanges, federal roads, state roads and tourist destinations.
The national speed limit
is 110km/h on multi-lane expressways and 90km/h on Federal and State roads (unless otherwise indicated).
These limits are lowered
for built-up areas, strong crosswinds and certain road conditions. Enforcement cameras monitor vehicle speed and an Automated Enforcement System
(AES) is being expanded nationwide by the Road Traffic Department (JPJ).
Safety is a top priority. Regular maintenance
is carried out rigorously to ensure road surfaces meet strict guidelines.
There are streetlights at intersections and along dangerous stretches and
“cats eyes” are placed
on the road surface to guide travellers at night. Emergency telephones
are located every 2km, and each highway has a hotline number for a 24-hour highway patrol service to render assistance to anyone in need.
Malaysia’s highway networks are world class and travellers will find them a pleasant and convenient way to see the country.
PLUS Ronda highway patrol officers assist at a breakdown on the North South Expressway.