The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has begun a three-month pilot project to introduce minimum advisory speed limits on selected highways. The initiative, which started on 1 August, is intended to encourage motorists to use lanes according to their travelling speed and reduce instances of slow-moving vehicles occupying the rightmost lane.

The proof-of-concept (POC) project will run until 31 October 2026, with MIROS monitoring traffic conditions and collecting data throughout the trial period. The findings will be used to assess driver response and the effectiveness of the recommendations before the institute considers whether the approach should be expanded.

The initiative is intended to encourage motorists to use lanes according to their travelling speed, rather than remaining in the rightmost lane while travelling significantly slower than surrounding traffic. However, the recommended speeds are advisory and are not being introduced as new legally enforceable speed limits.

For two-lane highways, MIROS recommends a minimum advisory speed of 80km/h for the right lane and 60km/h for the left lane. On three-lane highways, the recommendations are 100km/h for the right lane, 80km/h for the middle lane and 60km/h for the left lane.

For four-lane highways, the rightmost lane has a recommended minimum of 100km/h, followed by 80km/h for the first middle lane and 60km/h for both the second middle and left lanes. These recommendations are intended to provide motorists with clearer guidance on which lane is appropriate for their travelling speed.

The pilot will be carried out at the following three locations:

• PLUS Expressway (E1): KM400.3 to KM388.0 northbound, covering the Tanjung Malim–Behrang stretch.
• South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) (E26): KM10 to KM16.7, between the Ayer Hitam Toll Plaza and Bandar Saujana Putra.
• PLUS Expressway (E2): KM268.5 to KM278.8 northbound, covering the Bandar Ainsdale–Nilai stretch.

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), PLUS Malaysia Berhad and SKVE. Strategic signage will also be installed at the selected stretches to inform motorists of the recommended speeds.

Despite being described as minimum speeds, the recommendations do not mean motorists must maintain them regardless of circumstances. MIROS says drivers should continue to adjust their speed according to road, traffic and weather conditions.

For example, motorists are not expected to maintain the recommended speeds during traffic congestion, heavy rain, poor visibility, road accidents, or road maintenance and lane closures. Instructions from highway personnel or police should also take precedence.

The existing legal maximum speed limits remain applicable as well. In other words, the advisory speed of 100km/h for a right lane does not give motorists permission to exceed the maximum speed limit applicable to that particular highway.

MIROS will use the three-month pilot to assess whether the recommendations influence lane usage and driver behaviour. The data collected during this period will subsequently help determine whether the initiative should be expanded beyond the three selected highway stretches.

Malaysia is not the first country to incorporate minimum speed requirements into its road rules. The United States, for example, recognises minimum speed limits as a road-management measure. The Federal Highway Administration’s traffic-control manual includes a dedicated Minimum Speed Limit sign for situations where slow-moving vehicles could impede traffic, although individual states and local authorities generally determine speed limits.

Japan also has provisions for minimum speed limits. Its Road Traffic Act states that motorists must not travel below a minimum speed where one has been specified by road signs or markings, except when slowing is required by law or necessary to avoid a hazard.

The UK likewise has a minimum-speed road sign, although minimum speed requirements apply only where specifically indicated rather than being a general requirement on motorways. Motorists must comply with a minimum speed where one is displayed, unless doing so would be impracticable or unsafe.

Of course, whether local road users will actually follow the advisory remains to be seen. After all, this is still only a POC with no strict enforcement in place, so whether drivers will suddenly start paying attention to lane discipline is perhaps another matter entirely.

(Source: MIROS [Facebook])