Road and Safety Sign Boards in Malaysia

Some drivers might not have realized this, but the road and safety signs in Malaysia have different meanings and functions according to their shape, font size, signboard color, placement, and symbol.  In Malaysia, these are standardized road signs similar to those used in Europe but with certain distinctions. They are placed in areas that are clearly visible to guide, warn, prohibit, or inform road users.

The language used for the road and safety signs boards is mainly Bahasa Malaysia, but English is also used for important areas like tourist attractions, airports, railway stations, and immigration checkpoints. We already know that these signboards have different meanings and functions, but what are they exactly? Let’s find out!

5 Different Types of Safety Signs in Malaysia

1. Warning Road Signs

These warning signs are to provide information on road conditions in front of or adjacent that could be dangerous to road users. These are often in red, yellow, or black and are diamond-shaped.

2. Information Road Signs

Information road signs are the ones that you would see most frequently used in Malaysia as they provide road users with general information about the road that they are using and the road ahead. These signs are usually in blue and white.

3. Regulatory Road Signs

These signs are used at locations where road users are required to carry out a specific task, as they are not suggestions and need to be adhered to. These mandatory road signs are the most important road signs that you have to know. These signs are round with white backgrounds, red borders, and black pictograms. Some mandatory signs which fall under this same category are round with blue backgrounds and white pictograms.

4. Guide Road Signs

Guide road signs are used to show directions or the distance to a destination (in km). It is usually in blue, green, brown, white, or yellow.

5. Constructions/Temporary Road Signs

These road signs are used when constructions or road maintenances are taking place temporarily. These signs are usually in orange and black.

Other Relevant Road Signs in Malaysia

Blue Sign Boards

According to the road category under 333 Act, The Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987, chapter 67, blue signboards are used for federal, state, and municipal roads.

Green Sign Boards

Green sign boards are used for toll expressways or highways in Malaysia only.

Federal Roads/Highway Sign Boards

The Federal Road System is the country’s main road network. Federal roads are usually labeled with route number shields like Federal Road 1. Apart from roads, several highways funded by the federal government such as the Federal Highway and the Skudai Highway are also known as federal roads.

Different type of Federal Roads

• • Main Federal Roads – available in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
  • FELDA/FELCRA Federal Roads-can be found in FELDA and FELCRA estates in Peninsular Malaysia and certain locations in Sarawak.
  • Industrial Areas-access to industrial areas in Peninsular Malaysia and certain locations in Sarawak.
  • Entrance to the Regional Development Authority (LKW).
  • Federal Territory Designated (FD) Roads that have been gazetted.
  • Federal Institutions/Institutional Facilities – access to federal institutional facilities such as universities, institutes, military bases, airports, radio frequency stations, hospitals, tourist attractions, and more.

State Roads Sign Boards

In general, state roads and federal roads use the same standard signs. State roads are funded by the state governments through their respective Public Works Departments (JKR). The state road system uses a letter of the alphabet for its route number.

‘E” Code Sign Boards

The letter ‘E’ is an abbreviation for Expressway which is also known as highway in Malaysia. The boards for these expressways and highways are green and are only suitable for expressways and highways with tolls. These signboards have –

• JKR hexagon-shaped highway shield with expressway/highway code signs that are black and yellow.
• Green with white signs for major destinations.

Fun Facts on Malaysian Highways

• • Longest highway: North-South Highway (966 km)
  • Busiest highway: Federal Highway
  • The oldest highway tunnel: Genting Sempah Tunnel on the Karak Highway
  • Longest highway tunnel: SMART E38 Tunnel (4km)
  • Longest highway bridge: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (23.37km)
  • The second-longest highway bridge: Penang Bridge (13.5km)
  • Toll booths with the most lanes: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge Toll with 28 lanes

Signboards with Yellow Words

These signboards usually refer to the name of a certain road.

Signboards with White Words

The white words refer to the names of cities and areas.

Signboards with White Words and Maroon Background

These signboards refer to a tourist destination. White signboards with green letters also indicate the location of tourist attractions.

Important Signboards

White with black letters for towns and other settlements. Green with orange letters for government institutions.

Border Signboards

Border signs in Malaysia are green for international and state while blue is for the district.

The Arrangement of Destinations on Signboards

Destinations on signboards are arranged according to distance. The nearest location is placed at the very top, while the furthest location is placed at the very bottom.

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*images in this article are sourced from Wikipedia.

Keyword: Road and Safety Sign Boards in Malaysia