KUCHING: Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd (LBU) will not compromise on safety along the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak (PBHS) during the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri seasons and the current school holiday.
In view of the exodus from the towns to the villages for the festive seasons LBU has collaborated with its contractors and relevant government agencies on carrying out a road safety campaign themed “efficient connections” from May 22 to 29 at 10 worksites.
The company’s health and safety manager, Abdul Rahman Kadir, said other than the campaign, LBU also had a traffic management unit to ensure that all construction stretches comply with standard road safety procedures like having proper road signs, flagmen, etc. to make driving safer especially as the highway is still being built.
“We don’t take road safety lightly, especially when traffic volume along the trunk road builds up before, during and after the festivities and school holiday,” he said yesterday.
“We want people to be aware that the road is currently being upgraded to a four-lane dual carriageway. There is a need to remind road users of the hazards presented by the construction activities.”
Abdul Rahman said LBU has been relentless in promoting road safety as well as environmental health and safety since the start of the construction of the highway. As such he urged road users to adhere to the Highway Code, traffic signs, and speed limits especially along the construction stretches.
“Please don’t go fast even though you may be driving along some nice stretches that have been completed and opened to traffic,” he cautioned.
“What is important is arriving with your loved ones at your destinations safely to celebrate Gawai Dayak or Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”
He was saddened by reports of serious accidents at sections that are still under construction.
“Many accidents were caused by speeding vehicles cutting into the opposite lane and colliding with oncoming traffic,” he said, adding there are other factors too such as drink driving.
“We need to remind everyone repeatedly to drive safely, to stay alert and follow the directional signs because the highway is under construction and certain routes which are open today may be closed tomorrow.”
LBU has taken its road safety campaign a step further by taking up commercial slots in major local radio stations such as Hitz FM and Era FM to remind more people about safe driving.
For the past three years since the Pan Borneo Highway project started, LBU has organised a road safety campaign to coincide with the major festivals – Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak, Hari Raya and Christmas – at all its 11 work packages from Telok Melano in Lundu to Miri.
The campaign always involved the relevant government and enforcement agencies like the police, Road Transport Department (JPJ), district offices and local community leaders.
