Owners of heavy vehicles that fall below Puspakom standards will face action, says JPJ

KUALA LUMPUR: Owners of heavy vehicles will face action if they do not comply with national vehicle inspection company Puspakom's standards.

Road Transport Department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim said statistics showed an increase in accidents involving heavy vehicles.

“Based on police statistics, a total of 19,888 lorries have been involved in road accidents across the country between January and June. This is a 28% increase over (the same period) last year," he told a press conference on Monday (Aug 8) at the Puspakom inspection centre near JPJ headquarters here.

A special operation was conducted on Monday to check standard operating procedure compliance and ensure roadworthiness of heavy vehicles.

ALSO READ: Need for heavy vehicle drivers to go for periodic, random drug tests

The “end to end” inspection was conducted from 9am to 2pm and done on a Monday because of the large number of inspections usually conducted on the day.

“This is based on our data. Mondays and Fridays are normally the most. On average we inspect nearly 400 vehicles on a Monday,” Zailani said.

He also emphasised the importance of safety standards in operating commercial vehicles.

“Heavy vehicles take longer to brake. They need more distance.

“If it’s overloaded, the momentum would also affect the vehicle,” he said.

ALSO READ: Lorry with a burst tyre and faulty brakes rams into seven vehicles in Taiping

Out of the 256 vehicles inspected, action was taken against 140 and 73 summonses were issued.

Infractions ranged from improper compliance to non-adherence to safety standards and failing drug tests.

Three of the drivers tested positive for drugs and were handed over to the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK).

Zailani added that following Monday's operation, JPJ would implement several improvements in vehicle inspection procedures at Puspakom.

ALSO READ: Inspections completed within time

“We will increase the frequency of our inspection and audit operations at Puspakom, especially at offices that inspect heavy vehicles.

“The procedures to inspect items that require a high level of safety assurance, such as brakes, tyres and other components, will be checked again in the near future,” he said.

He added that while he would prefer not to seize vehicles due to the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on businesses, JPJ would not hesitate to do its duty when standards were not followed.

“We are looking at a win-win scenario,” he said.