Goodbye Lane Hoggers? MIROS Tests Minimum Speed Limits On 3 Major Malaysian Highways
We’ve all experienced it: cruising peacefully on the highway, only to get stuck behind a car doing 70 km/h in the right lane while listening to their favorite podcast.
Well, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), in collaboration with the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), PLUS, and SKVE, is finally stepping in. Starting 1 August 2026, they are officially running a three-month Proof-of-Concept (POC) trial for minimum advisory speed limits under the campaign banner Had Laju Nasihat Minimum.
The whole idea behind this initiative is summed up in one blunt phrase from MIROS: "Jangan jadi punca trafik terganggu" (Don't be the cause of disrupted traffic).
⚡ TL;DR Summary
- What's Happening: MIROS is testing "Minimum Advisory Speed Limits" on 3 highway stretches starting 1 August 2026 for 3 months.
- The Minimum Speeds: Right lane (100 km/h), Middle lane (80 km/h), Left lane (60 km/h) — depending on total lanes.
- Is It A Law? No. It's an advisory (guideline) trial, meaning no summonses will be issued for this specific sign yet.
- Why Do This? Research shows slow drivers in the fast lane cause dangerous "phantom jams" and force risky overtaking maneuvers.
What Are The New Minimum Speed Guidelines?
Under this POC trial, each lane gets a recommended minimum speed displayed on clear signboards along the test routes. The breakdown is simple:
Advisory Minimum Speeds By Lane Layout
MIROS Had Laju Nasihat Minimum (HLNM) breakdown for 2, 3, and 4-lane highway stretches:
| Highway Layout | Right Lane (Overtaking) | Middle Lane(s) | Left Lane (Cruising) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Lanes | Min. 80 km/h | — | Min. 60 km/h |
| 3 Lanes | Min. 100 km/h | Min. 80 km/h | Min. 60 km/h |
| 4 Lanes | Min. 100 km/h | Min. 80 km/h (Middle Lane 1) Min. 60 km/h (Middle Lane 2) | Min. 60 km/h |
Note: These minimums are advisory, not a mandatory speed floor. You won't get a saman just for driving below the posted minimum if conditions don't allow it, such as:
- Traffic congestion
- Heavy rain or severe weather
- Limited visibility
- Accidents or road obstacles
- Ongoing roadwork, maintenance, or lane closures
- Direct instructions from enforcement officers or highway personnel
Myth Buster: Minimum Speeds Are Not A License To Speed!
MYTH: "The new MIROS minimum speed limit means I can speed as fast as I want in the right overtaking lane!"
FACT: False! All national maximum speed limits (typically 110 km/h) remain strictly enforced across all Malaysian expressways. The Had Laju Nasihat Minimum trial simply sets a predictable pace per lane to eliminate right-lane hoggers and keep traffic flowing safely.
Where Are The 3 Test Pilot Locations?
If you frequently drive through these highway stretches, keep an eye out for the new signboards between 1 August and 31 October 2026:
- PLUS E1 (Northbound): Tanjung Malim to Behrang (KM400.1 to KM388.0)
- SKVE E26: Ayer Hitam Toll Plaza to Bandar Saujana Putra (KM9.6 to KM16.7)
- PLUS E2 (Northbound): Bandar Ainsdale to Nilai (KM267.8 to KM278.8)
Why Is Driving Too Slow In The Fast Lane Actually Dangerous?
Many Malaysian drivers believe that “driving slow = driving safe” regardless of which lane they are in. However, road safety research proves otherwise.
The biggest danger on a highway isn't always raw speed, it is speed variance (the speed gap between the fastest and slowest cars in the same lane).
- The Phantom Jam Effect: When a car cruises at 70 km/h in a 110 km/h right lane, every car behind it has to tap its brakes. That braking ripple effect travels backward, causing a massive, unexplainable "phantom traffic jam" kilometers behind.
- Forced Risky Undertaking: Drivers behind slow lane-hoggers are forced to brake, switch to the middle/left lane (often in blind spots), overtake, and merge back. Each unnecessary lane change dramatically increases crash risks.
- The Law: Remind yourself that lane hogging is already an offense in Malaysia carrying a fine of up to RM2,000. The right and middle lanes are legally reserved for overtaking, with the left lane as the default cruising lane.
Did You Know? Driving Too Slow Is Proved To Cause Accidents
Research behind the famous "Solomon Curve" proves that vehicles traveling significantly slower than surrounding highway traffic have a higher crash involvement rate than those cruising at average flow speeds. On Malaysian highways like PLUS and SKVE, speed variance (the speed gap between cars in the same lane) triggers sudden braking waves, risky undertaking maneuvers, and avoidable rear-end collisions.
What MIROS Wants You To Do Next Time You Drive
- Pick the lane that matches your pace: If you want to cruise at 70 km/h, stay in the left lane.
- Avoid overtaking from the left: Use the right lane strictly to pass, then signal and move back left.
- Give way to faster vehicles: If someone approaches behind you in the right lane, signal left and let them pass safely.
Read: Is JPJ Setting An Age Limit For License Renewals? Here's What MIROS & Police Said
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Written By
Sofea Najmi
A Bachelor of English Language and Literature graduate with an obsession for the finer details. Sofea uses her background in translation to decode the technicalities of automotive innovation. She is dedicated to delivering impactful, meticulously researched articles that provide a narrative far beyond the spec sheet. LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3C018vv
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