Facilities for east-west road users need improvement

JELI: The government has been urged to improve the existing facilities for the east-west road users connecting Jeli in Kelantan and Gerik, Perak.
Among the facilities needed are additional rest stops, installation of street lights and ensuring smooth telecommunications system coverage at the 123km stretch.
A check by Bernama found there were two rest stops, namely the Puncak Banjaran Titiwangsa rest stop and Perah rest stop in the Gerik district, which provide full facilities such as food court, surau and toilet.
Tasik Banding in Grik offers more in terms of resort and chalet-style facilities while in Kelantan, there is only the Gemang Rest and Recreation, located after the Jeli town heading towards Kota Baharu.
Most road users hoped the government would add more rest stop areas, especially in Kelantan as the existing stop was congested during festive seasons and school holidays.
A road user, Nik Mohd Zulhafiz Zulkifli, 32, said an extra rest stop area was imperative to give comfort to the elderly and children.
"Between Jeli and the rest stop of Punca Titiwangsa, there is no rest stop with facilities such as toilet, surau and a food court for a distance of over 62km, so it is worth building a rest stop here," he said.
Nik Mohd Zulhafiz, from Kota Baharu, said the extra rest stop area could overcome user congestion as many had to wait long, especially when they wanted to use the toilet facilities.
Another, Usamah Romli, 34, suggested the installation of street lights to light up the path for the benefit of road users whose vehicle broke down at night.
Usamah, from Jitra, Kedah also suggested that the road be widened, especially at bends to avoid accidents.
Commenting on the suggestions of the road users, Kelantan Road Safety Department director Faridatul Nadya Mohamed Yusoff advised them to drive safely as human factor was the main contributor to accidents.
The users must also comply with traffic rules, including fixed speed limits, and not overtake other vehicles at bends as there was a risk of accident.
She said the department would extend the proposals to relevant parties for further action. — Bernama