By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 12: P-Turns are crucial for managing access on Sarawak’s Pan Borneo Highway by reducing conflicts with fast-moving traffic, but as improved road quality increases speeds, drivers must prioritise safety to prevent accidents.
According to Ir Meheron Selowara Joo, chair of Curtin Highway Infrastructure Research and Innovation Hub (CHIRI), the Pan Borneo Highway is set to feature over 200 P-Turns, strategically placed based on traffic impact studies, particularly in high-density areas.
Designed as a safer alternative to conventional U-turns on high-speed, median-divided roads, P-Turns allow vehicles to accelerate within designated lanes before merging with traffic, minimising collision risks.
“The primary advantage of a P-Turn is that it allows vehicles to accelerate within an acceleration lane before merging with highway traffic, reducing conflict with faster-moving vehicles.
“However, the effectiveness of P-Turns hinges on strict adherence to safety guidelines,” he explained in a media release today.
Balancing accessibility and safety
Meheron, who is also a senior lecturer in Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Malaysia, emphasised that the implementation of P-Turns on the Pan Borneo Highway highlights the challenge of balancing seamless accessibility with the risks of high-speed travel on a partially access-controlled road.
While the highway upgrade significantly improves connectivity, it also introduces new safety concerns.
“The transition from a lower-tier R3 single-lane road to an R5 dual-carriageway highway is a major leap in infrastructure, but it comes with operational complexities,” he said.
He credited the Sarawak government, the Public Works Department (JKR), and federal agencies for successfully delivering the upgrade while addressing the challenges of partial access control—a key consideration in rural highway design that maintains mobility for local communities.
Unlike fully access-controlled highways such as the PLUS Highway in Peninsular Malaysia, where entry and exit points are strictly designated, the Pan Borneo Highway offers more flexible access.
While this benefits local residents by reducing travel distances, it also increases their exposure to fast-moving vehicles.
Managing higher operating speeds
One of the main safety challenges, Meheron noted, is the natural increase in vehicle speeds due to the improved road conditions.
Though the posted speed limit is 90 km/h, Meheron noted that actual travel speeds often exceed this, raising the risk of collisions—especially for motorists entering or exiting the highway.
“Residents using the Pan Borneo Highway must remain highly vigilant. The enhanced road quality leads to higher operating speeds, which can pose significant risks if drivers do not adhere to proper safety measures,” he warned.
Key risks associated with P-Turns
While P-Turns enhance accessibility, Meheron identified several safety risks that require attention:
- Illegal U-turns – Some motorists take shortcuts by ignoring the full P-Turn manoeuvre, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
- Limited night-time visibility – Poor lighting makes it difficult for drivers to judge oncoming vehicle speeds.
- Unsafe lane changes – Sudden lane shifts to initiate a P-Turn can disrupt traffic flow.
- Speeding violations – The improved road design encourages higher travel speeds, making it harder for merging vehicles to enter safely.
- Poorly located P-Turns – Limited sight distances, particularly at crests and curves, can make it harder for drivers to anticipate merging traffic. Additional warning signage is crucial at such locations.
- Illegal parking at P-Turn – Parked vehicles obstruct visibility and disrupt the intended traffic flow.
The path forward: Strengthening safety measures
Despite these risks, Meheron affirmed that P-Turns remain an appropriate solution for partially access-controlled highways, provided road users and enforcement agencies work together to uphold safety standards.
“Enforcement, awareness, and infrastructure improvements must go hand in hand. A collaborative approach is essential to ensure that the Pan Borneo Highway remains both efficient and safe for Sarawak’s communities,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
