PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will set up a special task force to comprehensively address heavy vehicle safety issues, says Anthony Loke.
The Transport Minister said the special task force will be chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan.
“I have assigned the sec-gen to chair this special task force, which is not merely to study and see what can be implemented, but to start the implementation of what can be done ... what policies can be discussed and rolled out immediately.
“This team will involve various stakeholders to formulate effective strategies for the safety of all road users,” he said in a speech at a new year event here yesterday, Bernama reported.
On Dec 23 last year, seven people were killed and 33 injured in an accident involving a tour bus carrying 27 passengers and two lorries, as well as a car and a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), at KM204 of the North-South Expressway northbound.
An initial investigation by authorities found that the collision was triggered by a lorry’s detached wheel.
Loke said the periodic inspection procedures at Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) branches will be refined by adding critical safety elements, such as tyres and brake systems.
“This step aims to ensure that all vehicles comply with the specified safety standards,” he said.
He added that his ministry will enhance enforcement through an integrated approach with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), police, Land Public Transport Agency and the National Anti-Drug Agency.He said the High Speed-Weigh in Motion system will also be expanded to automatically monitor the load of heavy vehicles.
“The Automated Awareness Safety System camera system will be improved with a point-to-point mechanism to monitor vehicle speeds more comprehensively.”
Loke said his ministry will also review laws, such as the Road Transport Act 1987 and Land Public Transport Act 2010, to ensure more effective penalties for overloading offences.
“In addition, competency training for heavy vehicle operators will be enhanced through the Industrial Code of Practice Safety Training,” he said.
At a media conference, Loke said the Transport Ministry will focus on efforts to address the issue of overloading of heavy vehicles, especially through legislative aspects, this year.
He said the ministry will review the need to amend and improve laws such as the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 (Act 334), among others.
This includes reviewing the need to fix the rates of compounds and fines for overloading offences.
“So, this year, it is our focus to tackle the issue of overloading, which has been going on for years. I want to state here my desire and determination to, once and for all, tackle and resolve this issue of overloading. It needs a lot of integrated actions,” he said.
According to Loke, the ministry will review the logistics ecosystem, besides collaborating with port authorities, to resolve the issue of overloaded vehicles.
“We are also studying the suitability of imposing liability on the consignee, who may be responsible in the ecosystem for the offence of overloading.”
Meanwhile, Loke said the Transport Ministry will look at the legal framework to gazette regulations for pick-up vehicles to carry goods or loads safely as long as they do not exceed the permitted weight limit.
“This is to ensure uniformity from the aspects of legislation and enforcement in the field,” he said.
Loke also said his ministry will review its policy on the registration and use of rebuilt vehicles to ensure that only heavy vehicles with the best integrity, safety and quality are allowed on the road.
“For this, the Transport Ministry will collaborate with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry to comprehensively review this policy,” he said.
Based on the JPJ, Loke said there are currently 145,836 rebuilt vehicles with active status and 38,000 units that are inactive nationwide.
