KUALA LUMPUR: Using trains to transport goods is a good way to reduce reliance on heavy vehicles, says Datuk Meor Chek Hussien Mahayuddin.
The Retired Senior Police Officers Association (Respa) president suggests considering this alternative due to recent heavy vehicle accidents.
One such accident at KM204 of the Plus Highway killed seven people and injured 33 others.
"We would like to suggest that an alternative option be adopted to transport goods." We should now use rail trains as much as possible as an alternative," he said on Thursday (Dec 26).
He noted that freight trains are widely used in the US, China, UK, and India.
"They have been proven to be efficient, energy-saving, and safe. We too have the basic rail infrastructure in place and all we need is proper rail wagon to lorry haulage facilities," he added.
If adopted, Meor said lorries and heavy vehicles would require less road use, covering shorter distances.
"This will in turn keep the roads and highways safer for lighter vehicles. Heavy vehicles also take a heavy toll on roads, often damaging them faster," he said.
The past few weeks have seen several fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles, he noted.
"It is indeed shocking to read wheels that simply flew off from the axle of lorries and caused terrible accidents which includes the lives of children and infants. This is utterly disheartening. Our roads and highways are becoming death arenas," he said.
Meor urged immediate intervention by relevant ministries and agencies to curb such accidents.
"We have good roads, informative and clear signages, and excellent facilities along the highways but ruthless and inconsiderate lorries and heavy vehicles seem to rule the highways,” he added.
Meor said that such lorry drivers not only show no respect for the speed limit but also behave dangerously on the road.
"Perhaps too many lorry operators did not abide by regulations requiring that their vehicles be properly inspected and regularly checked and serviced," he said.
Meor then said that there is a need to prevent more tragedies by keeping roads and highways well regulated and safe.
"We have witnessed and lamented too many road tragedies which could be easily avoided with the right regulation, enforcement, education, and civic consciousness," he said.
