JERANTUT: A trailer carrying oil palm fruits caused a severe traffic jam at Bukit Mentimun, Jalan Jerantut-Kuala Tembeling, early this morning, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours.
District police chief Superintendent Zukri Muhammad said the 31-year-old driver faced challenges navigating the uphill stretch at around 3am today.
The trailer stalled, blocking both lanes of the single-carriageway and causing a 500-metre backlog involving 100 to 200 vehicles.
Police from the Kuala Tembeling station quickly placed safety cones along the route, and traffic officers redirected vehicles to prevent further congestion.
A tow truck was called in to clear the trailer, and the road reopened by 10am.
Motorists are calling for immediate road upgrades to address the recurring issues along the stretch.
Abdullah Hassan, 52, said heavy vehicles often faced difficulties climbing the slope, creating hazards for other drivers.
"Sometimes, these vehicles roll backward, endangering smaller vehicles. The road urgently needs improvement," he said.
Kampung Mela villager Mohd Saferi Salleh, 43, said that such incidents frequently disrupt daily commutes.
"Civil servants and teachers using this road are often delayed by these problems. It's time for the government to act and upgrade the road," he said.
The stretch has become a hotspot for traffic disruptions, with frequent calls for infrastructure improvements to prevent such incidents and ensure road safety.