KUALA LUMPUR: Heavy traffic is expected on several highways as many return home after the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Comm Datuk Seri Mat Kasim Karim said the department expects traffic to reach two million vehicles on the North-South Expressway (NSE), 150,000 vehicles on the East Coast Expressway 1 (LPT1) and 200,000 vehicles on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak route on Tuesday (Jan 24).
"As of noon, traffic on the North-South Expressway reached 1.18 million vehicles followed by 115,158 vehicles on LPT1 and 160,000 along Kuala Lumpur-Karak," he said in a statement.
Several highways and routes are expected to be congested from Tuesday afternoon until late night, he said.
The locations are the main routes to Kuala Lumpur such as Gombak and Sungai Besi toll plazas as well as the Karak-Bentong Expressway (from Bentong toll plaza towards Kuala Lumpur).
Other areas involved are Slim River and the Changkat Jering -Ipoh routes along the NSE and at Elite Expressway (Shah Alam-Sepang-Nilai).
"We advise road users to drive carefully as it is the rainy season and the roads are slippery.
"Follow traffic regulations and don't switch on the hazard lights if it is raining heavily.
"Don't use the emergency lane as it will hamper the work of rescue operators," Comm Mat Kasim said.
He also reminded the public to store highway hotline numbers of the police as a preparation in case there is an emergency.
"Drive responsibly and always be patient and tolerant with other road users" he added.
