KUALA LUMPUR – Transport experts have underscored the critical need for enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures to address the problem of accidents involving overloaded commercial vehicles, particularly lorries.
Speaking with Scoop, these experts unanimously agreed that lorries operating beyond their legally prescribed weight limits place undue strain on the vehicles.
This excessive weight contributes to considerable wear and tear on vital components, notably the brakes – consequently diminishing their braking efficiency.
Stricter inspection, enforcement
Law Teik Hua emphasised that addressing this issue requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders, including Puspakom, the Road Transport Department (RTD), and the traffic police. Such collaboration should involve sharing enforcement information and data, along with coordinated operations, he said.
He also highlighted that Puspakom needs to establish more stringent inspection criteria to ensure heavy vehicles are in optimal and safe condition for road use.
“Over time, with changes in road conditions, the environment, and vehicles, Puspakom may need to consider revising its inspection procedures to address any weaknesses,” said the Universiti Putra Malaysia Road Safety Department director.
“This revision could have a direct positive impact on enhancing the condition and performance of heavy vehicles.”
Law suggested that the RTD conduct regular and systematic enforcement measures to identify overloaded or poorly maintained heavy vehicles, contrary to its current “sporadic checks”.
He also proposed integrating modern artificial intelligence (AI) technology in operations to detect non-compliant heavy vehicles more accurately.
Monitoring drivers’ activity
Meanwhile, transport consultant, Rosli Azad Khan, said corruption is behind Malaysia’s “stagnant” and “old-fashioned” lorry designs that encouraged employers to overload their vehicles.
“There have not been many studies done here to show that the approved design of long and heavy vehicles by the Malaysian authorities complies with that of the vehicle (engine and chassis) manufacturers,” he said.
Rosli stressed the importance of implementing the use of tachographs – machines used to record drivers’ activity, speed, and distance – inside the vehicles, which he said have become cornerstones for developed countries’ fleet management.
“Tachographs ensure drivers adhere to legal limits regarding driving hours, helping to prevent accidents caused by fatigue,” he said, adding that drivers will minimise unlawful practices when they know their activities are recorded.
“In the event of an accident or dispute, tachograph data can be reviewed to determine the circumstances leading to the incident. This offers a level of transparency and accountability previously unavailable.”
However, Rosli said Puspakom, as a monopoly, should not be the sole inspection centre to implement the tachographs, and called for the inclusion of independent professional organisations or non-profit road safety councils as well.
Regular brake checks
Meanwhile, principal of FCC Consulting Engineer Datuk Foong Choy Chye said vehicles without proper brakes will likely fail Puspakom’s check-ups, as the agency has a tamper-free system to conduct braking inspections.
Instead, he said the owners should be proactive in servicing their vehicles, as most brakes fail well before Puspakom’s six-month inspections due to overloading.
“The onus is up to the owner to have in-house mechanics to regularly check their vehicles’ braking system, rather than waiting for the Puspakom inspection date to change the worn-out brake pads,” the RTD-registered professional engineer said.
Foong also said that educating operators and encouraging employers to make pledges in the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could serve as a more compelling motivation for them to adhere to regulations. It is also worth noting that existing laws regarding overloading are already stringent, he said.
A series of unfortunate, fatal events
Just last week, a tragic incident occurred when a lorry, suspected to have experienced brake failure, collided with multiple vehicles in Putrajaya, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries.
Subsequently, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the police will amplify monitoring operations against heavy vehicles, especially commercial vehicles in Putrajaya beginning today with the RTD, the Environment Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Other road accidents involving lorries reported this year include one in Segamat on September 2 that resulted in six deaths, a 12-vehicle pile-up in Johor Bahru after a tipper lorry suffered from failed brakes (July 7), and the death of a lorry driver in Kota Tinggi after losing control of his vehicle (August 24). – September 26, 2023