KUCHING: Sarawak plans to establish five additional traffic gardens under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) to enhance road safety education for students and the local community.
Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, said Sarawak currently has seven traffic gardens but the number is still insufficient to meet the needs of all divisions in the state.
“We currently have seven, including one in Limbang that needs replacement due to its deteriorated condition.
“Under RMK-13, we plan to add five more traffic parks.
“This will ensure that each division has its own traffic garden, which can be utilised by schools and the community to educate road users from a young age,” Lee said during a press conference at Baitul Makmur I Building here on Wednesday.
He noted that these traffic gardens play a crucial role in hosting the Traffic Games, which was revived last year and received an encouraging response.
He added that the games provide participants with a real-world simulation experience of road safety.
“Previously, the competition was discontinued and replaced with a computer game, but it was less effective.
“So we revived the physical Traffic Games, where participants must follow traffic rules, just like real drivers.
“Participants take on the roles of pedestrians, cyclists or pedal car drivers, and are monitored by police and Road Transport Department (JPJ) officers.
“If they violate the rules, they receive an immediate summons,” he said.
He also shared an instance where a participant became so serious about the competition that the child cried after receiving a fine from the police during the simulation.
He added that the experience leaves a lasting impact, with some participants stating that it helped them pass their driving tests more easily and become more disciplined on the road.
Following the success of the competition in Miri in 2024, two more Traffic Games will be held this year in Kuching and Sarikei.
“We have allocated funds to refurbish traffic parks in Sarawak.
“Most of them, including those in Kuching and Sarikei, are now ready.
“Once all traffic parks are fully operational, we can organise state-level competitions,” he said.
