PETALING JAYA: Eateries that place their tables and chairs on the sidewalk or parking lots are courting danger, says National Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

“Some eateries are placing tables and chairs on the walkways of shoplots, inconveniencing the public, especially disabled people.

“If tables and chairs are placed on parking areas, it could also cause fatal accidents like the recent incident,” he said.

On Sunday night, a four-wheel drive rammed into a table at an open-air area of a hawker centre in Serdang, Selangor, killing a diner.

In a statement yesterday, Lee said the authorities should initiate a policy to govern the safety of the public at roadside eateries.

“The relevant agencies, especially the local authorities, should view this latest tragedy seriously and initiate a policy governing safety for the public when eating on public roads.

“Such tragedies have happened before but were forgotten,” he said, citing an incident that occurred in June 2003 in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, where a car rammed into diners who were seated on the curb outside a 24-hour mamak restaurant.

“It was reported that the local authority then declared that all food outlets and restaurants, including mamak stalls, would have to stop placing tables, chairs or stools outside their premises.

“But due to short memory and poor enforcement, there are still many eateries which place tables and chairs outside their premises,” he said.

Lee also said road users should always be alert to ensure the safety of others.