Reducing risks: (From left) Meor Chek Hussien and Comm Mohd Yusri.
KUALA LUMPUR: After yet another major fatal accident on the highway involving heavy vehicles, an association of retired policemen has suggested using trains more to transport goods.
Retired Senior Police Officers Association (Respa) president Datuk Meor Chek Hussien Mahayuddin said such an alternative should be adopted by heavy vehicle operators who transport goods.
The move was mooted following a recent spate of accidents involving heavy vehicles.
The latest one happened at KM204 of the North-South Expressway near Ayer Keroh, Melaka, on Monday.
In the tragedy that saw seven people, including five members of a family, killed and others injured, a tyre that came off a lorry and rolled to the middle of the highway is said to have caused the five-vehicle crash.
“As much as possible, we should utilise rail trains to move goods,” Meor Chek Hussien said when asked to comment on the incident.
He noted that freight trains are largely used in the United States, Britain, China and India.
“They have been proven to be efficient, energy-saving and safe.
“We, too, have the basic rail infrastructure in place and all we need are proper rail wagons to transport goods,” he said.
If the rail option is adopted, Meor Chek Hussien said the need to use lorries, trailers and other heavy vehicles will be reduced.
“These vehicles may be required for only shorter distances, and this, in turn, will keep roads and highways safer for lighter vehicles,” he said.
He also pointed out the heavy toll exacted by lorries on the roads, often expediting the damage.
On the Monday tragedy, Meor Chek Hussien said it was shocking to read about a wheel simply flying off the axle of a lorry and causing the terrible accident.
“It was utterly distressing. Our roads and highways are becoming death arenas,” he said.
He called on the relevant ministries and agencies to initiate immediate intervention to curb such accidents.
“We have good roads, informative and clear signage, and excellent facilities along the highways but reckless and inconsiderate lorry and heavy vehicle drivers seem to rule these roads.
“They do not only disrespect the speed limit but act dangerously behind the wheel.
“Perhaps too many lorry operators did not abide by regulations requiring their vehicles to be properly inspected and regularly checked and serviced.
“These road tragedies could have been avoided with the right regulations, enforcement, education and civic consciousness,” Meor Chek Hussien added.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said police encourage public tip-offs of traffic offences, especially those involving drivers of heavy vehicles.“We strongly urge people to pass us such information fast as it will help in preventing accidents from occurring.
“Such a move will assist JSPT or other enforcement agencies to take action. But the recordings must be given through the proper channels.
“Such cooperation through the sharing of information is vital towards reducing the number of accidents in the country and tracking down offenders,” he said.
However, Comm Mohd Yusri advised the public against taking advantage of a situation by merely recording a road mishap for the sake of making it viral on social media and gaining followers.
Those with information on road accidents, especially those involving heavy vehicles, can contact the JSPT operations room at 03-2266 3356 or the nearest police station.
Comm Mohd Yusri previously revealed that a total of 825 fatal accidents involving lorries were recorded in the first 10 months of this year, with an average of three lorry accidents per day.
