Miros: Safe driving a financial boon for heavy vehicle operators
PETALING JAYA: Adopting safe driving practices and adhering to speed limits may be more financially efficient for heavy and commercial vehicle industry players, says Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon.
Keeping to speed limits can help heavy vehicles be more fuel-efficient alongside putting less wear and tear on the vehicle in the long run, he noted.
'It can cut costs, reduce mechanical stress and optimise operations,' said Prof Wong, who is attached with Universiti Putra Malaysia.
For reference, he said industries can look to ISO 39001 for detailed guidelines.
'If they are unsure about how to apply them, these industries can consult Miros as well.
'This can also be used as an opportunity to improve business operations,' he added.
The ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management Systems is a standard for organisations to reduce and prevent road fatalities and injuries.
It requires organisations to adopt policies, objectives, criteria and action plans for the development and implementation of road traffic safety in order to control and improve its performance.
According to an ISO 39001 document uploaded to the Sirim QAS International website, the benefits of obtaining accreditation include an enhanced image of the organisation, increased productivity associated with time and resources, and a cost-effective way to reduce maintenance and accident costs.
The accreditation process involves application and initial certification for Stages 1 and 2 audits before certification is approved, followed by an annual surveillance audit and later recertification.
The fee depends on the organisation size, scope of certification, number of employees, location, and type and number of scheme.
The timeline from application until the issuance of certificate may take three to six months, subject to the client's readiness.
Prof Wong reiterated that any proposed move by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to enhance road safety compliance will require buy-in from industry players to ensure success.
'It's not just about enforcement. Road safety is a multidisciplinary effort across the board,' he noted.
He was expressing his views after JPJ announced plans to introduce new standard operating procedures for commercial and public service vehicles next month.
According to JPJ, among the matters being detailed are stricter action against commercial vehicles that exceed speed limits and banning such vehicles from travelling on the far-right lane.
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