Latest news with #IndustryCodeofPractice
The Star
17-05-2025
- The Star
Suspend offenders' licence
PETALING JAYA: Those caught for reckless driving, especially under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), should be immediately suspended from driving to avert any further risk to road users, say road safety experts. Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia said this proactive measure will safeguard other road users while awaiting the legal outcome of such cases. He argued that allowing those on bail to continue driving will still be risky as the effects of substance abuse may last for several hours or days. 'It also serves as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. There should be legislation that empowers the Road Transport Department (JPJ) or police to temporarily suspend the driving licence of those suspected of DUI,' Law said, adding that transportation companies also have an obligation to ensure their drivers stay clean. 'There should be policies where the company does a background search on a candidate prior to employment,' Law said. Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh agreed that companies should be responsible in the hiring of competent drivers. He said under the Land Public Transport Agency's Industry Code of Practice guidelines, all operators are required to have safety officers, including smaller businesses with fewer than five permits. 'A safety officer should routinely monitor drivers and bar them from driving if they are suspected of being involved with substance abuse,' said Suret, who is also a former chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research. He argued that all forms of reckless driving should be penalised, regardless of whether they involve substance abuse. 'Why only DUI? Drivers who blatantly disregard safety should also be liable. Tailgating, beating traffic lights, or weaving between traffic are all dangerous acts,' he said, adding that it was appropriate for the magistrate to suspend the licence of a lorry driver who was charged over a crash that killed nine Federal Reserve Unit officers on May 13. Criminologist Datuk P. Sundramoorthy said DUI remains a serious threat, and it is vital to have more integrated solutions, even in the face of recent amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987. Sundramoorthy said public education campaigns should go beyond fear-based messages and emphasise the consequences of DUI. 'It requires a comprehensive approach. Legal penalties must be consistently enforced and complemented by rehabilitation and public education. We can learn from global best practices and tailor them to local needs. 'Rehabilitation should also be part of the strategy. First-time or non-violent offenders should be required to attend mandatory treatment and counselling. However, the real challenge lies in enforcement consistency and public attitude,' he said.
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Haulage firms push for driver background checks, digital safety systems
KUALA LUMPUR: Employers in the haulage industry currently lack access to a centralised platform for screening drivers' criminal or drug-related records, says Association of Malaysia Hauliers (AMH). Its executive secretary Mohamad Azuan Masud said, "There is no formal platform to vet drivers' backgrounds. We rely on personal or previous employer references." He also pointed out that the Kejara demerit points system, used for tracking traffic offences, was not accessible to employers for screening purposes. In response to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's recent call for company owners to take greater responsibility for accidents involving their vehicles, Azuan stressed that haulage companies were already held accountable through stringent regulations. These include the Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) audits conducted by the Road Transport Department (RTD). "What the deputy prime minister said is not new. ICOP audits are already in place and actively enforced," Azuan said. "These audits ensure that operators comply with essential safety protocols, such as fire preparedness and safety briefings. Failure to meet these standards can lead to the suspension or revocation of operating permits." He also highlighted the thorough vehicle inspections carried out at Puspakom, ensuring technical compliance with regional standards. Despite the existing oversight, AMH is urging the government to support the adoption of advanced digital safety systems like onboard cameras and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (Adas), which could further enhance safety. "We've proposed these technologies, but the cost is prohibitive for many operators. Government funding is needed to make them viable," he added. As part of the National Logistics Task Force (NLTF), AMH has submitted both short-term and long-term recommendations to the Transport Ministry and is awaiting the government's response. Zahid made the remarks following a tragic crash in Teluk Intan, Perak, where a rock-laden lorry collided with a vehicle carrying 18 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel, resulting in nine fatalities. The deputy prime minister stressed that such accidents could be prevented if companies took full responsibility for the condition of their vehicles and the drivers they employ.
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lamb cuddling to continue at visitor farm
Alice Cunningham BBC News, Suffolk Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm A farm that announced it would stop offering lamb cuddling sessions after 25 years of doing so says they will go ahead after all. Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, based near Ipswich, announced on Thursday it would stop the sessions after it was told open farms were no longer allowed to offer them. However, on Friday it said following "extensive conversations and further re-reading" of codes of practice, this was not the case and the farm had not breached any codes. Farm manager Kate Ockelton said the farm had strict measures in place to mitigate risk of illness to visitors. A statement on the farm's Facebook page on Friday said staff were initially "devastated" by the news. However, the farm said it was contacted by "several organisations", one of which it worked closely with last year, who were shocked about the rule changes. It added that following conversations, it had "taken the decision to continue with our lamb holding activities as we are not in breach of the industry code of practice". The National Farm Attractions Network Industry Code of Practice for preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions states petting sessions should happen in clean areas away from where animals are kept, hand washing stations should be available and staff should ensure visitors know the risks when petting animals. Prior to the announcement that sessions would continue, Ms Ockelton told BBC Radio Suffolk of their popularity. "We've been running Send sessions, we've had private evening sessions, we've had people come all the way from Manchester to cuddle our lambs," she said. "We've been doing it 25 years. I was doing it at 16 with three bales of straw and just a handful of visitors. "It's an annual thing for families for generations and it would be so disappointing if we can't do this any more." Richard Daniel/BBC Last year the farm was forced to close for six weeks after four reports of visitors unexpectedly catching cryptosporidium and E. coli. Ms Ockelton said the farm had worked closely with agencies to ensure it was as safe as possible for both visitors and animals. More handwashing stations have been provided and staff are trained to ensure visitors do wash their hands. Lambs are also tested regularly for E. coli and cryptosporidium. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
