Truck drivers are being urged to follow safety rules after fatal accidents in Malaysia

Negri Sembilan Truck Operators Association (NSLOA) treasurer Alvin Loke said containers transported in a truck must be secured with a twist lock at each corner to prevent them from slipping or sliding during sudden braking or accidents.

However, he claimed that there are drivers who do not do this because the heavy load can cause their trucks to overturn when taking sharp turns or during accidents.

“Obviously these drivers are doing this to avoid being trapped in their cabs if their trailers tip over. Some drivers close the containers with only two twist locks, and sometimes none at all.

“If the containers are not secured with twist locks, the container will slip out of the wagon and fall onto the road, leaving the truck intact.

“However, while the lorry driver may believe this will keep him safe, it will put other motorists at risk if the container falls and crushes other vehicles,” he said.

Mr Loke said NSLOA, which is an affiliate of the Malaysian Trucking Federation (MTF), had advised its members to secure all locks on their container ships.

Victor Pereira, a committee member of the PSM Truck Drivers Association, also claimed that there were cases where truck drivers were transporting containers that were not fully secured.

In addition to fearing for their safety in the event of an accident, drivers do not secure the containers in order to unload the containers faster.

“Often trailer drivers making short trips do not bother to secure containers with twist locks, as there are times when these devices jam during unloading.

“When this happens, the crane that lifts the container can also lift the trailer. It can take a long time to release a jammed twist lock.

“Therefore, to avoid this inconvenience, drivers may not secure the container with twist locks.

“They can just close two of the four locks, or eight locks in the case of large containers. It’s dangerous,” he added.