Drivers ditch overloaded lorries before roadblock

The Star

5 days ago

Abandoned: Lorries left by the side of the road, some with engines still running. — Photos courtesy of JPJ
KUALA LANGAT: A number of tipper lorry drivers, believed to be transporting loads beyond the legal weight limit, abandoned their vehicles upon spotting a Road Transport Department (JPJ) roadblock.
The incident occurred during Ops Paras, an enforcement operation by Selangor JPJ at the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE) toll plaza in Saujana Putra at around 11am yesterday, reported Sinar Harian.
The Malay language daily observed around 15 lorries of various types parked along the roadside before reaching the toll plaza.
Among them were at least four tipper lorries left with their engines still running by drivers believed to be foreign nationals, who fled after realising they were likely in breach of regulations, particularly for overloading.
A trailer suspected of carrying electronic waste was also reportedly abandoned by its driver.
JPJ subsequently issued various summonses related to the offences, requiring vehicle owners to come forward to resolve the matters and avoid their vehicles being blacklisted.
Selangor JPJ director Azrin Borhan told Sinar Harian that since Ops Paras was launched on May 1, notices have been issued to 143 goods vehicles under Section 63(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which mandates vehicles to be weighed.
A JPJ officer taking a closer look at one of the lorries along the SKVE toll plaza.
He explained that Ops Paras targets goods vehicles committing offences such as overloading and unsafe transport of goods.
'Throughout the period, there have been 724 cases involving excessive loads, 645 cases of transporting goods dangerously, and 23 vehicle seizures,' said Azrin.
He added that, based on driver statements, many admitted to overloading in pursuit of higher commissions or profits.
Common cargo types detected included sand, stones, soil, and palm oil waste.
Azrin stressed that the operation was aimed at addressing the rising number of accidents involving heavy vehicles that flout road safety regulations, particularly those related to overloading.