Malaysia has introduced its first glow-in-the-dark road markings, much to the delight of road users who have praised the initiative.

The Public Works Department (JKR) in the Hulu Langat district announced that the pilot project was launched on October 28 on a two-lane road near the rural town of Semenyih in Selangor.

The markings have been applied along the intersection of Jalan Sungai Lalang and Jalan Sungai Tekali.

“This glow-in-the-dark road marking represents our effort to innovate within road engineering,” JKR shared in a Facebook post. “Don’t be alarmed if you drive through this area and notice the markings.”

Before the application of these markings, the area was poorly lit, lacking street lights, which made nighttime driving challenging for road users.

Malaysia’s Works Minister, Alexander Nanta Linggi, who visited the site on Wednesday night, noted that the markings have a durability of up to 10 hours and maintain “a good glow effect” even during rainy conditions.

“However, the ministry is still assessing the overall effectiveness of the project, particularly considering its relatively high implementation costs,” he said in a Facebook post.

The initiative has received positive feedback from Malaysians, with many acknowledging the increased safety it provides to road users.

“Can’t deny, Malaysian roads will look really lit. No pun intended,” joked an Instagram user with the handle lordlaboughdash.

On Facebook, Iskandar Zulkarnain Razalli commented that the markings would improve driving conditions during stormy weather.

“When it rains and the car’s air-conditioning isn’t on, the windows fog up, making it very difficult to see the white road markings,” he explained.

Another Instagram user, gymtycoon, pointed out that such markings have been common in South India for years.

“I saw this in South India a long time ago and thought it was a great idea. Finally, it’s here in our country. Great job, JKR,” he said.

However, another user, Alan Chin Weng Lon, emphasized on Facebook that drivers must remain cautious.

“Even with the glow-in-the-dark markings, drivers should still be careful and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles,” he advised.

Many Malaysians have called for the glow-in-the-dark road markings to be implemented nationwide, especially in rural areas without street lights.

“We should have them on all highways and kampung roads as well,” suggested Jimmy Chang on Instagram.

However, some have urged the authorities to prioritize proper road maintenance.

“JKR, have your officers drive during the rain or at night, and you’ll see that the poor visibility of road lines, inadequate signage, uneven roads, and potholes are major causes of accidents,” commented Ravi Apparaw on Facebook.

“Look at the condition of all federal roads in Malaysia as a whole. Imagine how many lives could be saved.”