KUALA LUMPUR – Clear guidelines must be issued for the ban on heavy vehicles with a laden weight exceeding 7,500kg entering the capital during peak hours, as their drivers are unsure over which roads they are allowed to use.
With better understanding from logistics operators and drivers, the ruling will help alleviate traffic congestion in the capital, said Prof Law Teik Hua, head of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre.
If I am a lorry driver, my question would be, where are the prohibited areas? Will I be compounded? This is why drivers need to know exactly where they can and cannot go.
“It has been reported that the authorities will put up clear signs about the ban. But such information needs to be in the media as well. This will help reduce the impact on drivers and commercial vehicle operators,” he told The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran.
While Law is in support of the ruling, he urged the authorities, especially the Road Transport Department (RTD), to review the definition of peak hours and the roads involved from time to time.
He said the Transport Ministry must also review if the move is effective.
“Don’t just implement it without seeing if it is effective or insignificant. Aside from the ban, there might be other measures that can be carried out simultaneously. We cannot depend on a single ruling.”
He added that enforcement plays an important role, while the public could act as eyes and ears for the enforcement authorities to report errant drivers.
On June 3, the RTD issued a ban prohibiting all company operators or drivers of heavy vehicles with laden weight exceeding 7,500kg from entering the main roads leading into the city centre from 6.30am until 9.30am and 4.30pm until 7.30pm daily.
“Roads that are gazetted with travel restrictions of at least 5km from the city centre, starting from the entrance to the city centre, will be marked by placing a special signboard with the timestamp prohibiting heavy vehicles from entering the city centre,” it said in a statement.
Those who choose to disregard this can be compounded not more than RM300 or charged in court, where the fine imposed will not be less than RM300 and not exceeding RM2,000.”
Among the roads gazetted with the said restrictions in the mornings and evenings includes all roads in the Kuala Lumpur city centre; Jalan Kuching from Taman Wahyu in Jalan Ipoh to the city centre; Jalan Genting Klang from TAR University College until the city centre; and Jalan Cheras from Taman Midah to the city centre.
Meanwhile, restricted roads in the evenings include Jalan Kepong; Jalan Ipoh from Bulatan Kepong until Jalan Batu Caves; Karak Highway; Jalan Gombak from Jalan Kg Bandar Dalam until the Kuala Lumpur border; Jalan Genting Klang; and Jalan Cheras, beginning at Jalan Pudu until Jalan Tenteram. – The Vibes, June 6, 2022
