KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Roads will soon be given star ratings as an indication of safety levels.

A study is being conducted to determine the risks posed to motorists by the conditions of the roads.

Jointly undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD), the Road Safety Department (JKJR) and the Malaysia Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros), the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) will identify high-risk roads and promote safer road designs.

iRAP will look into road surfaces, road delineation, signage, lighting, guard rails and blind spots.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said road designs play an important role in reducing accidents on the road.

"Hotels have their star ratings, roads will also have their own accreditation," he said after launching a road safety campaign in conjunction with Super Home Ideas exhibition and Exclusive Property Investment show at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre yesterday.

JKJR director-general Datuk Suret Singh said the star rating would be used for engineering improvements and for the department to come up with measures to reduce accidents.

"By doing an overall assessment on road design, we believe we can reduce accidents by up to 30 per cent," he said.

Suret said an initial study on road designs and conditions was conducted last year, involving 3,800km of roads.

"Since the results were encouraging, PWD decided to apply for additional funding to rate Malaysia's road network nationwide."

On another matter, Ong said the Road Transport Department and Puspakom would hold regular dialogues with transport-related associations, non-governmental organisations and consumers to obtain feedback on transport issues.

He was happy at the interest taken by the NGOs, especially on road safety matters.

"This is the time to listen to them and solicit their views and grouses. We need them to be our eyes and ears." --The Star / Asia News Network