KUALA LUMPUR: Most people were returning from their Hari Raya holidays today to beat the expected rush and crowds this weekend.
A check by the New Straits Times showed that many people were planning to leave their hometowns to return to the city today instead of during the weekend.
Khairul Annaz, 28, from Perlis, said his initial plan was to go back to Rawang, Selangor, on the fourth day of Hari Raya as he promised his wife that they would be celebrating with her family.
He said the traffic was congested as expected after a two-year hiatus because previously people could not return to their hometowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"To be honest, the traffic was pretty much as expected. This isn't my first time facing this kind of traffic. I remember three years ago, a few days after Raya when I came back to Kuala Lumpur and this (traffic jam) happened too.
"Except this year (the traffic is) beyond what I was expecting. Fourteen hours on the highway without taking a nap and it's just too much for me," he said.
Khairul suggested for those heading south from the north, to try to leave as early as 6.30am if they want a smooth journey.
"My cousin left at 6.45am from Perlis and arrived in Ipoh at 10.30am where the traffic was pretty smooth.
"It was reported that today's traffic heading north is pretty bad. So, all the best to all travellers," he said.
Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, 42, said he started his journey at midnight from Muar to Kuala Lumpur on the fourth day of Hari Raya to beat the road hassles.
"I have small kids and being stuck in a car during the day is very uncomfortable for them. So, I started the journey at midnight, which is the best option, because there are fewer vehicles on the road and less heat during the night.
"The traffic is quite predictable even though most of us follow the suggestions from Plus, and yet we still have to endure this congestion.
"We have no other choice to drive back to our hometown unless there's a railway station or airport nearby," he said.
He advised the public to try planning their journey ahead by referring to Waze updates and the Integrated Transportation Information System (ITIS) report.
"Try to start the journey during the wee hours to avoid any hassle of getting stuck in the traffic congestion for long hours. Get enough rest and don't rush," he said.
Meanwhile, another user on Twitter who wanted to be known only as Siti, 43, said that she needed to leave her hometown early due to the fact that she is working today, and she was also hoping to beat the expected rush.
"The traffic was congested when we exited from the Bentong toll and we moved slowly until Bukit Tinggi. Surprisingly, the road was clear after we reached Bukit Tinggi and straight to Kuala Lumpur.
"From my observation, traffic gets congested due to the way people drive such as constantly changing lanes, moving too slowly, and hitting brakes too often due to changing lane behaviours thus creating a chain effect of a traffic jam," she said.
Siti also advised the public to plan their travels carefully before returning from their Raya holidays.
"You can buy drinks, tidbits and food to eat in the car before entering the highway. Please limit your stops as most of the Rest and Relaxation (R&R) areas will be full to the max.
"Keep the trash inside your car and you can always throw it after you reach your destination. Don't just fling it everywhere, "she said.