PUTRAJAYA — A special task force on heavy vehicle safety will be established to address critical issues and improve road safety, announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
The move follows a tragic accident on December 23 last year at KM204 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) northbound, which claimed seven lives and injured 33 others.
The collision, involving a tour bus, two lorries, a car, and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), was found to have been caused by a lorry’s detached tyre, underscoring the urgent need for stricter safety measures.
Speaking at the New Year event in Putrajaya today, Loke said the task force will be chaired by Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Santhiran Muniayan, and will focus on implementing immediate, actionable measures.
“I have instructed the secretary-general to lead this task force with a clear mandate: to implement policies and strategies that can be executed without delay. This team will engage with various stakeholders to formulate effective approaches to safeguard all road users,” Loke said.
As part of the ministry’s response, periodic inspections at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) will be improved to include critical safety checks, such as tyres and braking systems, to ensure vehicles meet stringent safety standards.
Enforcement will also be enhanced through collaboration with the Road Transport Department (JPJ), police, Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).
Additionally, the High-Speed Weigh-in-Motion (HS-WIM) system will be expanded to automatically monitor the weight of heavy vehicles, while the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) will be upgraded with a point-to-point mechanism for more comprehensive speed monitoring.
The ministry will also review key legislation, including the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act 2010 to introduce stricter penalties for overloading offences.
Meanwhile, competency training for heavy vehicle operators will be enhanced through the Industrial Code of Practice Safety Training.
Loke urged Transport Ministry personnel to adopt innovative approaches and step out of their comfort zones to advance the country’s transport sector. He also highlighted plans to integrate AI and digitise transportation services to improve public service delivery.
“Let us work together with integrity and commitment to provide the best service for the people and the nation,” Loke said. — January 6, 2024