Cheam (right) and some of her neighbours have a good view of MEX expressway from their condominium in Taman Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: Residents living near Maju Expressway (MEX) in Sungai Besi here are disturbed by the frequent accidents taking place at KM7 in the Kuala Lumpur-bound direction.
They are urging the concessionaire, Maju Expressway Sdn Bhd (MESB), to look into the matter and warn motorists about the accident-prone stretch.
Residents of Residensi Vyne in Taman Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, contacted StarMetro to highlight the matter as the four-block condominium has a clear view of the highway, where they witnessed numerous accidents at that particular bend on the highway since the movement control order (MCO) was introduced on March 18 this year.
“From March until now, I made 12 phone calls to MESB to inform them about accidents that took place on this dangerous stretch.
“We often hear screeching sound of tyres followed by a loud bang against the concrete barrier when vehicles lose control and skid when turning at the bend.
“Since it is a bend in the road, stalled vehicles involved in accidents become a safety hazard to other drivers, and sometimes there would be a pile-up of several cars after they crashed into the stalled vehicles, ” said the condominium’s resident, Vanessa Heng, 34.
“Sometimes, the car would turn turtle. Vans and lorries would skid and knock into the concrete barrier.
“I have witnessed several accidents and it is dangerous, ” she said.
Another resident, Eunice Chan, 41, said one of the more serious accidents involved a huge lorry that lost control along the stretch during a downpour.
“We can see the accidents as our condominium is facing the highway.
“The accident-prone stretch is also a popular spot for tow truck operators as they know accidents frequently take place there.
“I have seen them in the area. Their presence at the location is also a safety hazard to other road users and often the highway patrol officers will direct them to disperse, ” she said.
Resident Cheam Yee Siew, 47, said she had complained to MESB about the frequent accidents taking place at that particular stretch.
“The MESB official who spoke to me, attributed the accidents to drivers speeding and poor maintenance of vehicles.
“They said they would increase warning signage and consider installing speed breakers to slow down vehicles.
“However, these measures have not been implemented yet, ” she said.
She added that she hoped MESB would expedite executing the safety measures.
