Two days ago,I read a report that two persons died on the road near Kuala Lipis;one of them was the driver of the bus.I donot know the exact milestone but it reminded me of my trip when I passed an area between Kuala Lipis and Merapoh.The road is hilly and winding.The time was about 11am and I heard a big thud on my car as I was travelling.I did not see but my travel companion told me it was a bird.When we stopped at Merapoh I check my car, there was no damage and scratches any where to be seen.Personally,I had doubt that my car was hit by a flying bird.If it was,then it must be a big bird.
When I attended the kenduri kahwin,my cousin told me his late uncle met with an accident around the area many years ago.He was paralysed all over except the head and died later due to serious body injuries.The following day,I met my wife's cousin, and told him my experience while passing that area and of the many accident that took place within the vicinity.He narrated a few scary happenings around that area and cautioned me not to pass through Bukit Tujuh area at night.
On the way back to KL,I had to pass through that area again.At one corner ,I saw a lorry just skidded.Again,another accident took place. From my observations, the stretch of road at Bukit Tujuh are full of double curves i.e where horizontal curves happened to be at the same locations as vertical curves.In lay man language, it is where when we need to turn left/right and at the same time we are moving downhill or climbing.If the drivers were tired or sleepy, there is a high probability of accidents to take place.According to my cousin who lost his uncle,these stretches of roads are haunted.When he travels around these areas, he keeps reading a few surahs from the Al-Qur'an.
When we travel long distance and passing unfamiliar places,it is better to be safe than sorry.Just take extra precaution and do what is necessary...
Assalamualaikum, Pak Adib. As someone who also has driven there frequently ( car n bike ), I do agree that the travel should be done during the day. I have taken the night express bus and at times, around the hilly areas esp around Pahang / Kelantan border, I tell myself to trust the drivers and Allah s.w.t, as I personally find the road scarier at night. This year balik Kelate will use another route ;-) lalu KK - Jeli, longer time but more scenic :)
Posted by: omecool20 | Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 01:02 AM
Wassalam Omecool,
As a father,I am very worried when my sons are on the road for a long haul.I tell them to keep me updated every two hours;and when they forget I call them.Going the Grik/Jeli way to Kelate takes longer time, but during 'balik kampung' seasons,it is better longer distance/time and we feel safer.I was told during festival times, the road from KL to KB is bumper to bumper when you eneter Kelate border and during traffic jams, good drivers can turn into bad and impatient people.The result is bad behaviours.
Posted by: Adib | Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 06:13 AM
Salam Pak Adib,
Bukit Tujuh is well known for its accident prone area.I do notice during recent trip to Kelantan, how drivers were speeding along the route and simply 'potong' queue.Patutlah selalu eksiden kot! Attitude problem.
Posted by: Iskandar | Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I got pictures and videos of the abovesaid accident in my website.
http://www.kumprinx.com
Posted by: Kumprinx | Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 01:29 PM
AbeDib, the reported accident was not at Bukit Tujuh. Km13, Kg Relong is before Padang Tungku and with some stretch of curves also. The Bukit Tujuh area is a treacherous stretch between hills and as you said; with sharp double curves that would catch an unwary driver or drivers who think he knows the area too well and lose respect for what it could do.
Posted by: Razali | Sunday, June 15, 2008 at 11:09 AM