Crossing the road shouldn’t feel like a game of survival but for many pedestrians in Malaysia, it often does.
One Malaysian TikTok user, Ammar (@driving4dummies), recently shared a viral video shedding light on the daily struggles of pedestrians and why he always chooses to stop for them, despite facing backlash from impatient drivers.
“I got honked. I got scolded. But I still stopped.”
In the emotional video, Ammar explained how walking around Kuala Lumpur is rarely safe or simple.
“Sometimes there are no zebra crossings where they’re needed, and when there is one, it’s blocked by vehicles,” he said.
“The worst is when drivers refuse to stop, even when pedestrians are already crossing. Some still speed past as if pedestrians don’t even exist.”
This is why Ammar makes it a point to stop when he’s behind the wheel. Whether he’s driving a car or riding a motorcycle, he slows down, stays alert, and gives way.
“Not everyone has the patience to stop,” he shared. “But it doesn’t take even a full minute. Why not just let them pass safely?”
“Am I wrong for giving way?”
However, not all drivers share his mindset. In the video, Ammar recounted a recent encounter where he was repeatedly honked at for stopping to let pedestrians cross.
“The driver behind me even revved his engine and got dangerously close to my car before braking,” he recalled.
He then shared footage of a tense interaction with a Proton X50 driver, who appeared irritated by Ammar’s decision to follow traffic signs and yield at a junction.
Ammar: “Didn’t you read the signboard?”
X50 driver: “Did I hit you? Did I ask you anything?! Shut up and drive!”
Despite the unpleasant exchange, Ammar stood by his decision.
“I was heartbroken by the way he acted. But I’ll keep stopping for pedestrians because one day, the person crossing could be someone I care about.”
“That day, it was my best friend”
In a wholesome twist, Ammar shared that during one of these stops, he unknowingly gave way to his best friend from school. It was a full-circle moment that reaffirmed his belief.
“To stop for someone isn’t just about following the rules, it’s about respecting life,” he said.
“He honked at me 3 times, just for stopping”
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Ammar revealed what really went down that day with the Proton X50 driver.
I was already slowing down gracefully because I saw from a distance that there were pedestrians trying to cross. I didn’t stop abruptly, as you can clearly see in the video,” he explained.
Despite that, the driver behind me in a blue Proton X50 honked at me three times. He even rolled down his window and shouted, ‘Pergi je lah!’ as if I was the problem.”
Ironically, after all the shouting and honking, the driver ended up stuck in traffic just a few meters ahead.
“It was rush hour, no one was getting anywhere fast.”
“It happened at a spot where people always struggle to cross”
Ammar shared that the incident took place at a zebra crossing near Jalan Sultan Ismail, close to Hotel Renaissance in KL.
It’s a super busy area during peak hours. I’ve seen so many pedestrians, especially elderly people and children, struggle to cross safely there.”
“I was shocked… just for doing the right thing”
Recalling the moment the driver yelled at him to “just go,” Ammar said he was taken aback.
Honestly, I was shocked and a bit disappointed. I was doing the right thing, but being pressured like that made me realise how little patience some drivers have.”
He added that while the pedestrian sign is awkwardly placed, it’s still every driver’s responsibility to pay attention to their surroundings.
“I wasn’t trying to slow you down, I was protecting someone’s right to cross”
If Ammar had the chance to speak to the X50 driver again, he’d keep it simple and sincere:
I wasn’t trying to slow you down on purpose. I was just giving way to someone who deserves to cross safely. It only takes a few seconds, but it could mean everything to that person.”
He believes that the issue goes beyond just one driver.
Most drivers in Malaysia don’t yield to pedestrians. He’s not the only one. But I hope if he sees this, maybe he’ll think twice next time.”
We need stricter enforcement and proper awareness campaigns like what Singapore and Brunei are doing. Malaysia should step up too.”
“I remind myself: I’m not here to race anyone”
When asked how he stays calm in tense situations, Ammar said it starts before he even gets in the car.
I always pray for a safe journey and remind myself why I’m driving. I’m not here to prove anything. I’m just trying to get home safely and maybe make the road a little better.”
“They just want to cross, why is that so hard?”
As for why many Malaysians don’t stop at zebra crossings, Ammar believes it boils down to poor driving culture and lack of awareness.
People are always rushing, often without a real reason. Many don’t even know the law. And there’s barely any enforcement.”
I’ve seen so many people struggle to cross; kids, old folks, wheelchair users, even parents with strollers. Sometimes they’re stuck under the hot sun or pouring rain. And cars just zoom past.”
His final message was heartfelt:
I really hope we can all enjoy safer roads again. Things are getting worse, not better. And it all starts with respect especially for the most vulnerable people on the road.”
Watch the full video here:
