KUALA LUMPUR: The Works Ministry has identified 157 killer stretches on federal roads throughout the country, its Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said work to upgrade the areas, including warning signs at these stretches, was ongoing.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a special committee on measures to reduce accidents during festive seasons here yesterday, Samy Vellu said efforts to rehabilitate killer stretches had produced encouraging results over the past few years.

There were no fatal accidents reported in 128 out of the 132 areas rehabilitated in 2004, 251 out of 255 areas in 2005 and 219 out of 220 areas last year.

He said work to rehabilitate the stretches were undertaken by the highway concessionaires as well as three companies appointed by the Government.

Samy Vellu said the construction of dedicated motorcycle lanes was a priority, as motorcyclists comprised 60% of all accident fatalities.

"The Government has approved RM485mil to construct 323km of motorcycle lanes in the country, in addition to the RM130mil already spent on constructing such lanes," he said.

Samy Vellu said the speed limit on federal and state roads hadbeen reduced by 10km to 80km and 70km respectively while the speed limit on highways remained at 90km and 110km.

He also said all maintenance work on highways, federal and state roads would be halted from Oct 7 to 21 to enable the smooth flow of traffic during the Hari Raya season.

"Heavy vehicles will also be banned from these road for four days. The dates will be announced later," he said, adding that 16 watchtowers had been constructed for police enforcement work.