LETTERS: The Alliance For A Safe Community (IKATAN) commends the government’s crackdown on overloaded lorries, as highlighted in the media recently.
This action is not merely about enforcing laws; it is a profound declaration that public safety and the preservation of national infrastructure must take precedence over commercial profit.
For too long, the practice of overloading has been treated as a simple cost-saving measure by some in the industry, yet the true cost is paid by every road user and taxpayer.
Based on reliable information of accidents involving heavy vehicles, overloading directly contributes to a higher risk of fatal accidents. When a vehicle exceeds its design limits, its braking, steering, and stability are fundamentally compromised.
No commercial convenience can justify the tragic loss of life, or the severe injuries inflicted on innocent motorists, that result from this reckless practice.
Overloaded lorries accelerate the wear and tear on our roads, bridges, and highways exponentially.
The phrase “repairs cost the government millions every year” translates directly into taxpayer money that could be spent on building new infrastructure, hospitals, or schools.
The industry that benefits from the haulage must not be allowed to externalise this massive repair cost onto the public.
The practice creates an unfair market, where compliant, safety-conscious operators are undercut by unscrupulous players who cut costs by breaking the law.
The crackdown levels the playing field, ensuring that ethical business practices are rewarded, not punished.
While enforcement is a crucial first step, long-term success requires systemic changes that integrate technology, legislative reform, and industry accountability.
The current proposal to hold all parties in the logistics chain (consignors, consignees, and transporters) accountable must be accelerated and made law.
The person or company ordering the load that results in overloading must face severe penalties, removing the incentive for them to pressure transporters for cheaper, illegal loads.
We should make it mandatory for all new heavy commercial vehicles to be equipped with a certified, tamper-proof equipment that provides real-time load data to the driver and fleet manager.
Perhaps we could offer tax rebates or low-interest loans for transport companies that invest in new, safety-compliant trucks and certified load-measuring technology.
We should also launch a major, sustained public campaign, similar to those for seat belts or drunk driving, to clearly link overloaded lorries to catastrophic road accidents.
This will ensure strong, continuous public support for the enforcement efforts, acting as a powerful counter-pressure to possible industry resistance.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Member
Road Safety Council
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
