Buntong roundabout exit an accident waiting to happen

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BUNTONG residents have called for the authorities to put up streetlights at an accident-prone spot in a residential area before it claims lives.

Tourist guide R. Ramachandran, 53, said accidents frequently occurred at the Buntong roundabout exit onto Laluan Sungai Pari due to poor visibility at night.

“Motorists exiting the roundabout tend not to see other motorists, cyclists and even pedestrians who are on Laluan Sungai Pari as the road is unlit.

“I almost hit a motorcyclist once. Thank goodness I was able to brake in time,” Ramachandran told reporters.

Dangerous: A car seen here taking an illegal turn into Kampung Kacang Puteh after exiting from the Buntong roundabout. This move would endanger the vehicle as oncoming traffic could collide into it.

Buntong Community Welfare Association president V. Selvaraju claimed that about four to five accidents took place there each week.

“Just weeks ago, two girls riding on a motorcycle broke their legs in an accident where they were hit by a car.

“Last week, a couple on a motorcycle suffered bruises after being hit by a car at the same spot,” he said.

Selvaraju suggested that besides putting up streetlights, the authorities should also create a road divider from the roundabout exit leading onto Laluan Sungai Pari.

The divider, he said, should be at least 15m long to discourage motorists from crossing Laluan Sungai Pari or to make illegal turns near the exit.

“Unfortunately, nothing is being done to-date.

“We have been informed by the Ipoh City Council that our application for the upgrading works has been approved but there is no fund to carry it out,” said Selvaraju, noting that the residents had submitted three applications to the council last year.

“We hope something can be done fast. We do not want to see any lives lost before action is taken,” he said.

Perak MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Lee Kon Yin, who is assisting the residents, said he would bring up the matter with the council again and hoped that it could be resolved as soon as possible.