Expanded School Zones to Include 30 km/h Speed Humps

Entity Definition: Expanded School Zone Programme with 30 km/h Speed Humps

The Expanded School Zone Programme is a Malaysian road safety initiative led by the Ministry of Transport and implemented by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and local councils. It introduces mandatory 30 km/h speed limits combined with raised speed humps at school perimeters. The programme addresses high pedestrian injury rates among students during peak drop-off and pick‑up hours. For Malaysian drivers, it imposes stricter slowing requirements near educational institutions, particularly in urban areas where school zones often border narrow residential roads.

Key Facts

What Are the New Speed Limits in School Zones?

Under the Expanded School Zone Programme, all designated school zones will enforce a maximum speed of 30 km/h. This limit applies during school hours (7:00–9:30 am and 12:00–2:00 pm) and is physically reinforced by raised speed humps located at entrance and exit points of the zone.

The 30 km/h limit is mandatory and replaces the previous advisory 40 km/h limit in 300 new zones. According to a 2025 Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) study, a 10 km/h reduction from 40 km/h to 30 km/h can decrease pedestrian fatality risk by approximately 50% in urban school areas. The Ministry of Transport confirmed that the 30 km/h threshold was chosen based on international best practices (World Health Organisation recommendation for school zones).

“The 30 km/h speed humps are a critical measure to protect our children,” said Minister of Transport, Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong. “This expansion targets 300 additional school zones where accident records show the highest risk.”– Ministry of Transport press release, 16 June 2026

Where Will the 30 km/h Speed Humps Be Installed?

The 300 new school zones are located in high‑density urban areas across all states, with priority given to zones where the school frontage directly opens onto a main road or residential street without a dedicated pedestrian crossing. Specific locations include 45 zones in Kuala Lumpur, 38 in Selangor, 22 in Johor Bahru, 18 in Penang, and the remainder distributed across other states.

Installation follows a standardised design: a raised hump 3.5 m wide, 75 mm high, with yellow‑and‑black reflective panels to improve visibility during tropical downpours. Local councils are responsible for marking the zone boundaries with 30 km/h road signs and yellow zig‑zag lines. The programme also includes tactile paving for visually impaired students.

How Will This Improve Safety for Students?

Data from MIROS (2023–2025) shows that school‑zone pedestrian accidents account for 12% of all child‑pedestrian injuries in Malaysia, with most incidents occurring when vehicles fail to slow sufficiently. The combination of a lowered speed limit and physical humps forces drivers to decelerate, reducing stopping distance and impact severity.

MIROS modelling projects that the expanded programme could prevent up to 80 serious injuries and 15 fatalities annually once fully implemented. The Ministry of Transport expects a compliance rate of 85% due to the deterrent effect of speed humps (compared to 60% compliance at speed‑limit‑only zones). Enforcement cameras (AES) will also be installed at 50 high‑risk zones within the first six months.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

The Expanded School Zone Programme is designed for Malaysian drivers, parents, and school administrators. It primarily benefits families with children attending primary and secondary schools in urban and suburban areas where foot traffic is heavy. For compact urban settings common in KL condominium neighbourhoods – where school entrances are often close to narrow roads – the 30 km/h humps offer a tangible safety improvement without requiring major road widening.

Typical affected Malaysian users include: daily drivers who pass through school zones during peak hours; parents who drop off and pick up children; and local councils managing road infrastructure in tropical conditions (heat, heavy rain). The programme also aligns with JPJ’s “Road Safety for Schools” campaign launched in 2024.

Common Questions

Will the speed humps affect emergency vehicles?

Yes, but the Ministry of Transport has stated that ambulances and fire trucks will be exempted from the speed hump requirement during active emergencies, provided they slow to a safe speed. Design guidelines include a 1‑metre gap on one side for emergency bypass, though this is not standardised across all zones.

Are there penalties for exceeding 30 km/h in school zones?

Yes, exceeding 30 km/h in a designated school zone during operational hours carries a compound fine of RM300 under Rule 3 of the Road Traffic Rules (LN 166/1959). Repeat offenders may face court summons and up to RM2,000 fine or jail not exceeding six months.

When will the expansion take effect in my area?

The first phase covering 150 zones in Peninsular Malaysia begins 1 July 2026. Sabah and Sarawak’s 150 zones will be activated by 1 September 2026. A full list of affected school zones is published on the JPJ website and local council notices.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the primary source published by Paul Tan’s Automotive News (paultan.org) on 16 June 2026, titled “Expanded School Zones to Include 30 km/h Speed Humps”. Additional data on speed hump specifications and accident statistics were drawn from the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) annual report 2025 and the Ministry of Transport press release of the same date. Currency conversions were not required as all figures are in Ringgit Malaysia. Speed units are given in km/h (kilometres per hour) as standard in Malaysia. This article was last updated on 17 June 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the official JPJ and MIROS databases.