Taman Tambun Residents Demand Urgent Speed Bumps at Risky Turn-Offs

By Anne Das, Balqis Zahari & Owen Lee

Taman Tambun is one of several neighborhoods along the busy Tambun Road in Ipoh and this week, it is their voices being heard. During peak hours, this stretch turns chaotic with speeding vehicles, blind junctions, and no traffic regulation to protect those who live here. Residents say it has become increasingly dangerous to enter or exit their homes.

This danger is magnified by the nature of Tambun Road itself — one of Ipoh’s busiest routes, connecting the City Centre to Sunway City, residential enclaves, and commercial hotspots. With traffic moving at high speeds throughout the day, even a small miscalculation can lead to serious consequences.

While this specific appeal comes from Taman Tambun, nearby communities such as Tambun Heights and Taman Panorama Tambun Perdana (households near the Caltex petrol station) face similar risks. With Tambun Road serving as the only major artery in and out, the lack of signage, road markings, and traffic control affect thousands of people daily.

At the Taman Tambun housing estate junction, a sharp, nearly 90-degree turn poses a serious hazard. The entry and exit points are unmarked, and speeding cars offer little chance for residents to merge safely.

“There are no traffic lights, no signs, and no proper speed deterrents,” said Ms. Yvonne Seow. “Coming in from the U-turn is dangerous. Coming out is just as bad. We wait, inch forward, and just pray someone will slow down.”

Yvonne, 67, a long-time resident of Taman Tambun, has spent over a year reaching out to authorities about the situation. “We’re not asking for massive changes,” she said. “Just proper arrows, bold road lines, and something to make drivers slow down. How long must we wait before someone’s worst fear becomes reality?”

On May 14, Ipoh Echo visited Taman Tambun to speak with residents directly affected by the issue. Their message, captured on video, is clear: they are not asking for major construction – only for basic safety measures like visible signage, road markings, and speed bumps to protect their families.

Mr. Hassan bin Ismail, 70,who has lived in Taman Tambun for six years, said he avoids the turn entirely now. “I go further out just to make a safer U-turn near Petronas instead of risking the sharp, unmarked turn into Taman Tambun. It adds time, but at least I feel a bit more in control.”

Miss Nadiah, 41, another resident, described the stress she feels with her children in the car. “I use this road every day for work and school. Sometimes I just miss the turn and have to go all the way around. The cars do not give way. It is scary.”

Mr. Alexraja pointed out that while the speed limit is set at 50 km/h, the reality is very different. “Hardly anyone follows it. If you drive at that speed, you will get honked at,” he said. “We hope the authorities will implement proper JKR-standard markings and signage so drivers are more alert and recognise that this is a residential area, with people needing to turn in and come out safely.”

Ms. Chan Sau Ying, ex-teacher added, “Just please give us two speed bumps. It will slow the traffic and give us time to turn in and out of our Taman safely.”

Residents from nearby communities such as Taman Panorama Tambun are also facing similar challenges. With a sharp sloped exit, speeding traffic from the Sunway direction, and poor visibility at multiple junctions, daily commutes have become increasingly risky.

What the community is asking for is a coordinated safety plan along Jalan Tambun. This includes properly spaced speed bumps, clear signage at entry and exit points, warning arrows, and where possible, merging lanes to improve flow.

Residents are confident that simple changes like these can make daily commutes safer for everyone, without affecting traffic flow.

After over a year of raising the alarm, residents remain hopeful that this collective appeal will lead to changes on the ground. The solutions are simple. The impact could be life-saving.

🎥 Watch the Full Video here:

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Residents speak honestly about what they face each day. Take a moment to listen  and understand why this matters to so many living along Jalan Tambun.