KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Road Transport Department (RTD) will restrict goods transport vehicles for two days before and after Hari Raya Aidilfitri to ease road congestion and improve safety.
"The restrictions, which will be enforced on March 29 and 30, as well as April 5 and 6, apply to three categories of vehicles," said state director Mohd Harris Ali.
Under Category One, vehicles such as car transporters, tipper and dumper trucks exceeding 7,500kg, as well as pole trailers, cement tankers, platform trailers, logging trucks, and heavy machinery transporters, will be completely prohibited from operating during the restriction period.
In addition, vehicles transporting construction materials, including cement, steel, stones, sand, soil, tin ore, coal, and other minerals, will not be allowed on the roads.
For Category Two, container lorries carrying goods - except those transporting items between ports, airports, and industrial areas within the same state - as well as lorries transporting electronics, electrical items, and industrial materials such as chemicals, palm oil, and rubber, are restricted from operating between 8pm and 8am.
"Lorries carrying palm oil and rubber products from plantations to industrial areas, as well as empty lorries, must comply with these restricted operating hours," said Mohd Harris.
Category Three applies specifically to mobile cranes and cement mixer lorries operating within 25km of construction sites, which will be restricted from the roads between 6pm and 6am.
Mohd Harris explained that these restrictions are part of the department’s special road safety campaign for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
From March 24 to April 8, the campaign, dubbed "Drive Safely, Arrive Safely," aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities during the festive period.
Speaking after launching the campaign and conducting inspections on express buses at the Inanam North Bus Terminal near here on Thursday (Mar 27), he said the operation includes strict enforcement of seven major traffic offences, restrictions on goods transport vehicles during peak travel periods, and increased surveillance on highways and key travel routes across the state.
"The seven targeted offences are speeding, disobeying traffic signals, overtaking on double lines, driving on emergency lanes, reckless overtaking, queue jumping, and using a mobile phone while driving," he said.
During the first two days of the operation, which began on March 24, the department inspected 5,481 vehicles, issued 946 summonses, and took action against 467 road users.
"The most common violations included driving with an expired Motor Vehicle Licence, with 238 cases, followed by operating a vehicle without a valid driving licence (211 cases) and failing to have vehicle insurance (105 cases)," he said.
A total of 286 enforcement officers have been deployed across Sabah for various initiatives, including undercover enforcement, special motorcycle operations (Ops Khas Motosikal), and stringent checks on public transport vehicles.
"Daily bus inspections are being conducted at major terminals such as Inanam (North), Tawau, and Sandakan to ensure compliance with safety regulations," he added.
Mohd Harris also encouraged the public to report traffic violations via the MyJPJ application, as well as through official complaint channels, including SISPAA, aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my, and aduantrafik.sabah@jpj.gov.my.
"The department remains committed to ensuring road safety for all users, especially during the festive season. Motorists are urged to adhere to traffic laws and drive responsibly to prevent accidents and ensure a smooth travel experience during Hari Raya Aidilfitri," he said.
SABAH SWAK
