The Ministry of Transport is reviewing amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987 to introduce a 30km/h speed limit in school zones across Malaysia, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced.
Loke said the proposed changes are being carried out comprehensively with input from multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Works, Public Works Department, Ministry of Housing and Local Government, PLANMalaysia, Ministry of Education, the police, and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Kalam Salan (PN–Sabak Bernam) on enforcement, Loke explained that once the new limit is gazetted, legal action can be taken under existing provisions of the Act. The Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion (JKMKKJR), chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, agreed on July 15, 2024, to adopt the 30km/h limit nationally to enhance student safety.
Implementation will involve integrated enforcement operations in selected school areas, installation of new speed limit signboards and road markings, automated enforcement cameras where suitable, and periodic monitoring during peak school hours.
In addition, the government will launch the Safe School Zone Project, a pilot initiative targeting high-risk schools. Physical measures under this programme include lane narrowing, raised pedestrian crossings, refuge islands and medians, improved pavements, and upgrades to signboards and street furniture.
Loke emphasised that the combined strategy of engineering, education, and enforcement aims to reduce serious injuries and fatalities in school zones, supporting the objectives of the Malaysia Road Safety Plan 2022–2030.
