Not just drivers: Activist demands road overhaul after tragic Gerik crash
GERIK: The steep descent from Jeli to Gerik can cause vehicle speed to reach 80kmph without even pressing the accelerator.
This grim reality was underscored by a tragic accident involving a tour bus carrying Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on the East-West Highway yesterday.
The incident, which claimed the lives of 15 students and left dozens injured, has renewed calls for urgent action to improve safety on this notoriously hazardous stretch of road.
An activist from the East-West Highway (JRTB) group, Mohd Fadzil Abdul Aziz, said it is insufficient to place the blame solely on driver error or vehicle faults.
He said that the condition of the road itself has long been neglected.
"Many parts of the JRTB have suffered from poor maintenance, with winding sections that require smooth driving free from structural defects.
"Unfortunately, the authorities often patched up damaged roads, leaving them unstable and dangerous, especially when combined with faded or missing road markings," he said.
He said accidents on the stretch were all too common, particularly during rainy days.
"The winding, uneven, and poorly-lit roads at night are key contributors to accidents here," he said.
Mohd Fadzil also pointed out the lack of speed limit signs in many sections, which can cause drivers to underestimate the risks.
He also cautioned that mechanical issues, particularly brake failures, are even more hazardous due to the steep gradient, which naturally increases vehicle speed.
"It's not fair to blame only the drivers without considering other factors, including the condition of the road.
"Furthermore, this area is part of a wildlife corridor, home to elephants and tigers," he said.
He recalled an earlier accident on May 11 involving a baby elephant, which he said, highlighted the tragedies linked to this stretch of road that cannot be blamed solely on human negligence.
He urged the relevant authorities to take immediate action to conduct comprehensive maintenance to make the JRTB safer for all road users.
In the recent accident, the collision between a tour bus and a Perodua Alza on this stretch of road resulted in the deaths of 15 UPSI students.
Another 33 victims were injured and rushed to Gerik Hospital, where 18 were discharged after treatment.
The remaining 15 victims are still receiving care, with 10 at Taiping Hospital, two at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, and three at Baling Hospital.
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