Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) is set to construct 18 new motorcycle shelters on major highways across the nation this year, aiming to decrease the risk of accidents involving motorcyclists.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced that these facilities will be established at various strategic locations. Specifically, six shelters will be built along the North-South Expressway, four on the East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT1), and two each on the Sprint Expressway (SPRINT), Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS), and Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway.
Between 2023 and 2025, a total of 218 motorcycle shelters have been completed, bringing the overall number of such facilities along highways nationwide to 571. Ahmad Maslan highlighted that this initiative has effectively enhanced both the comfort and safety of riders, while also mitigating the risk of motorcycle accidents on highways.
During a session in the Dewan Negara, Ahmad Maslan addressed a question from Senator R. Thiagarajah regarding the safety measures being implemented and planned along highways to reduce risks faced by motorcyclists. Ahmad revealed that, in addition to constructing motorcycle shelters, the LLM has mandated all highway concessionaires to appoint independent road safety auditors. These auditors are tasked with conducting a Stage 5 (in-service road safety audit) every five years.
The periodic audits are designed to identify high-risk locations early, enabling concessionaires to implement necessary mitigation measures and infrastructure improvements. Ahmad also provided statistics regarding accidents involving motorcyclists who stopped or sought shelter under bridges during rain. Over the past five years, three such accidents resulting in six fatalities have been recorded.
The ministry's statistics reveal that one accident involving two fatalities occurred in 2022, followed by another accident claiming three lives in 2023. No such incidents were reported in 2024 and 2025, while one accident resulting in one fatality has been recorded so far this year.