ghways . AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star (26/6/2020)
PETALING JAYA: The proposed system to allow real-time enforcement against overloaded heavy vehicles will help prevent other types of related violations, say industry players.
They said road accidents and corruption among enforcement officers could be reduced if such enforcement is implemented effectively.
However, the groups also raised concerns about the details of the system and how it would be implemented.
Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn said the system would be good for all parties provided that it is implemented consistently.
“Of late, there have been too many accidents involving heavy vehicles and during our last meeting with the Transport Minister on Nov 25, he was firm on this matter.
“This mechanism comes at the right time, and if it is implemented according to the law and there is proper enforcement, it will create a level-playing field for all parties,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Ng was responding to the announcement made by the Transport Ministry that a system allowing real-time enforcement against overloaded heavy vehicles is currently in the works.
The ministry said the High Speed-Weigh in Motion (HS-WIM) system is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said the new technology would help determine the load and mass of a moving vehicle without the need for the vehicle to stop and be weighed.
Currently, the weight and load of lorries are manually measured at weighing stations and require a certain level of manpower.
Prof Wong added that traffic offenders could also be identified quicker with the new technology.
Malaysia Tipper Lorry Operator’s Association secretary-general Tan Boon Hing asked the ministry to reveal more information regarding the system.
“Where will this HS-WIM system be installed? What will be the specifications or the exact weight permissible for heavy vehicles to use the system?
“Even if it is one vehicle every five minutes, can the system be implemented smoothly? It might result in heavy traffic,” he said.
Tan also said heavy trucks and lorries would find alternative ways to avoid the system if it is deployed on major highways.
“If drivers try to avoid the system it’s likely they will use old roads and end up damaging them.
“This will be more dangerous for motorists on those routes,” he said.
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Lorry Operators’ Association secretary-general Alvin Choong said there should be consistent enforcement across the board in order for the system to work.
“It will also help curb corruption among enforcement officers,” he said.
He suggests that owners of quarries, factories or other stakeholders be held accountable and liable for the drivers and overloaded trucks.
“Operators tend to overload their trucks not by 20% to 30% but by 100% or 250% of the permissible legal capacity.
“This will cause mechanical breakdowns, especially the brake system, which will pose a danger to other road users.
“I hope the Transport Minister will have the political will to put these suggestions into perspective,” he said.
