PETALING JAYA: Installing dashcams will not only reveal an accurate perspective on accidents but also protect heavy vehicle drivers when falsely accused of causing an accident, says a heavy vehicle group.
Malaysia Trucking Federation president Datuk Ng Koong Sinn encouraged heavy vehicle operators to install dashcams as a precaution.
“Whenever accidents happen, heavy vehicles are always blamed. But with a dashcam, the footage will tell the whole story and we can identify who the real culprit is.
“It also protects drivers if they are accused of anything,” he said.
Ng said at least half of the federation’s 1,000 members have already fitted dashcams on their vehicles, adding that they are more prevalent in newer trucks.
Aside from encouraging heavy vehicle operators to install dashcams, Ng also proposed for dashcams pointing towards the interior of the vehicle to monitor the driver.
When asked if dashcam use should be made mandatory for heavy vehicles, Ng said they will adhere to any direction by the government.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said member buses headed for highland destinations are already fitted with dashcams, noting that this move is compulsory.
This refers to trips to destinations such as Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands and other hilly terrains, he explained.
As for other express buses, Ashfar added that the newer ones come fitted with dashcams while older models do not have them.
“The recordings are uploaded into a hard disk where operators monitor the drivers’ behaviour,” he said.
Ashfar also proposed that the authorities relook the strength of barriers on highways between opposite lanes to withstand the impact of a heavy vehicle as an extra safety measure.
Separately, he called on the government to look into increasing fares for economy express buses, noting that they were unchanged since 2018.
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Lorry Operators Association secretary-general Alvin Choong meanwhile urged that dashcams be made compulsory for heavy vehicles.
“The driver will be made aware that he is being monitored,” he said.
