KUALA LUMPUR: Preliminary police data has shown a significant drop in fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles, recording 163 cases last year compared to 260 in the previous year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said statistics from the police’s Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) showed an encouraging downtrend in fatalities involving lorries, trailers and heavy goods vehicles.
“Comparatively, preliminary data by the police showed 232 fatal accident cases involving heavy vehicles in 2023, rising to 260 in 2024 before dropping to 163 last year.
“These statistics cover accidents involving heavy vehicles, regardless of whether the vehicle was the primary cause or merely involved in the crash,” he said in a parliamentary written reply dated Jan 21.
Loke was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (Barisan-Ayer Hitam), who asked about the impact of overloaded lorry enforcement by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) on the supply chain and cost of living.
Loke said the decline in accidents serves as an early indicator that stronger enforcement measures on heavy vehicle safety compliance, including load controls, had contributed to reducing the risk of fatal accidents.
Meanwhile, Loke said the JPJ’s enforcement against overloaded lorries did not involve the introduction of new policies. Instead, it was based on existing provisions under the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Weight Restriction Order that have long been in place to ensure road safety.
On the impact to supply chain and costs, Loke noted that industry players, including the Malaysia Trucking Federation, had acknowledged there would be short-term effects.
However, he said the industry remained supportive of strict enforcement measures as they understood the importance of protecting the lives of road users.
“The government appreciates their willingness to embrace these changes,” Loke added.
