Truck operators are using tow truck scare tactics to avoid being weighed, JPJ says

TAIPING: Some lorry operators resorted to threats to towing companies not to send their vehicles to be weighed due to suspected overloading during an operation by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in Perak on Friday.

RTD Senior Director of Law Enforcement, Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, said that “Ops Khas Lebih Muatan” was conducted simultaneously in five locations: the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Changkat-Jering (north), Gunung-Semanggol, Manjung and Seri-Iskandar.

“They used GPS technology to switch off the vehicle engine at specific locations before reaching the inspection site to avoid being directed to weigh their vehicles at the nearest RTD stations.

“When RTD called the tow trucks to take the vehicles to the weigh station, the truck operators contacted the tow trucks and threatened them not to send their vehicles to JPJ or they would face ‘consequences,'” he said at a press conference on Saturday (11 January). ).

Muhammad Kifli said the thuggish behavior of the truck operators was aimed at thwarting RTD’s enforcement efforts and strict action would be taken against those involved.

“Failure to cooperate will be investigated under Section 234(C) of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 for obstructing public servants in the performance of their duties. If found guilty, offenders can be fined a maximum of RM250,000.

“We will also take tough action by filing reports with the Land Public Transport Agency to suspend or cancel the licenses of truck operators who refuse to cooperate,” he added.

During the operation, which began at 5am and involved 24 people, nine lorries were fined under section 63(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and section 80 of the Land Public Transport Act.

“Four trucks that were carrying sand will be brought to court for exceeding the permissible carrying capacity, two of them were seized for being overloaded by more than 71%.

“One truck was issued a report for transporting excessive cargo, one truck driver ran away, one truck had its GPS disabled, and two did not appear for the weighing procedure. The seized vehicles have been taken to RTD Taiping branch for further action,” he said. said

Muhammad Kifli said the RTD would step up action against heavy vehicles or trucks carrying excessive loads, which are the main causes of road accidents. – Bernama