Many accidents have occurred at the Jalan Tambun roundabout.
A ROUNDABOUT in Jalan Tambun has been the site of numerous accidents, which could be due to its poor design, lack of lighting and inadequate signage.
The roundabout near Taman Perpaduan that was open for use late last year has left many motorists confused in terms of the right of way.
On Jan 13 last year, it was reported that a 5.2km stretch of the road would be upgraded through a collaboration between the state government, Ipoh City Council and Sunway City Ipoh Sdn Bhd.
Ipoh City Watch president Prof Richard Ng said ever since the roundabout was opened, about five accidents had already occurred.
Ng, a former Ipoh city councillor said motorists travelling from Tanjung Rambutan to Tambun usually speed downhill, and accidents happen when those turning right from the roundabout towards the same direction (Tambun) get hit by vehicles coming from the straight road.
“Those travelling from the straight road (from Tanjung Rambutan) must stop, and allow the vehicles turning right from the roundabout to go first but no one is stopping.
“The design is not appropriate because the vehicles travelling from Tanjung Rambutan assume that it is a straight road due to the design, and they don’t stop,” he said during a visit to the site.
The situation is worse at night due to poor lighting around the roundabout.
“There are also no proper signs informing motorists of a roundabout ahead, and the only signboard is too close to the site.
“There is already a specific exit constructed for motorists to turn right towards Tambun town without using the roundabout.
“So either the exit needs to make way, or the roundabout needs to go, because it is redundant,” he said.
Ng said when he was the councillor, he had highlighted the issue, but it was not addressed.
MBI, he said, must seriously consider rectifying the design of the roundabout.
“If nothing is done, more accidents will continue to occur. Perhaps it will be a good to construct speed bumps, especially on the stretch of road from Tanjung Rambutan to the roundabout.
“More signs need to be put up to alert motorists to slow down,” said Ng.
T. Kugeneswaran, 36, a manager, who lives in Taman Perpaduan, said he used the roundabout daily.
Motorists using the road from Tanjung Rambutan, he said, were constantly speeding.
“Those turning right from the roundabout thinking the other vehicle will stop, are also speeding, and this leads to accidents.
“My car nearly got hit a few times at the roundabout. Just a few days back, a superbike was hit by a speeding car.
“There is a need to put up more signage, speed bumps and more lighting,” added Kugeneswaran.
Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said MBI had already instructed the contractor to improve the design of the roundabout.
Upgrading works, he said, were being carried out by Sunway Construction and was expected to be completed by the middle of this month.
“The upgrading works included adding more warning signs, flashing warning lights, and transversal line markings.”
