AS millions fulfil the Aidilfitri tradition of balik kampung, just as many are relieved that they aren't part of the great exodus.
The highway journey to faraway states can be adventurous and fun, but also taxing and grim, with prospects of fatal accidents very real.
For those who don't need to make the journey or elected to stay put, there's no dreary 10-hour congestions for a trip that usually takes three, no anxiety and, most importantly, they would be out of harm's way.
Despite the odds, millions still make the arduous journey despite the risks. Recall the government restrictions for balik kampung during the Covid-19 Movement Control Order: hundreds of thousands of motorists ignored the order, even if it meant spreading the deadly disease to their kinfolk.
The best the authorities can do is deploy more traffic cops, create smart lanes to smoothen traffic, free up toll gates and issue advisories for regular breaks at recreational stops.
From April 5 to 9 before Hari Raya and April 12 to 14 for the return leg, 2.1 million vehicles will take to the expressways per day, compared with 1.82 million on normal days.
Are there alternative ways to reduce traffic, cut down crashes and eliminate deaths? The short answer is yes: take public transport or simply don't make the exodus, which seem to be non-options.
For one, Malaysians are obsessed with driving. As for ditching balik kampung, remember the MCO defiance.
Traffic accidents during festive seasons are a mess: 12,407 crashes and 140 deaths were recorded during Aidilfitri last year, with motorcyclists contributing the most fatalities at 67.45 per cent, followed by motorists at 17.91 per cent and pedestrians at 4.84 per cent.
Let's face it: our automotive policies that encourage cheap cars, new or used, adds pressure to our highways.
Here's a novel idea: compel the use of public transport and experiment with a ban or reduction of private vehicles from making balik kampung trips for Aidilfitri. The government bans just about anything that is bad for the public — drugs, books, websites, public figures, entertainers, musicians, smoking — so banning or curtailing private travelling is possible.
Besides, private travelling qualifies as a matter of life and death: too many motorists have been injured, maimed or killed on the road. This opens up opportunities for public passenger transporters and demand for secure and quality service.
The official response to the traffic madness reflects a mentality numbed by lethal statistics. We hope that this year, motorists exercise better care to arrive safely at their destinations. Tragically, the daily headlines report otherwise.