KUALA LUMPUR: More parking areas for heavy vehicles must be prepared following concerns of fatal accidents caused by lorries parking at road corners, says the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
JPJ senior enforcement director Datuk Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, at a press conference at the Gombak enforcement station Wednesday (May 20), said that the department regularly monitored restricted routes used by heavy vehicles during peak hours, but there has been instances where lorry drivers continued to park illegally.
"While our officers are at the location, these lorries will avoid using the restricted routes.
"There are times when lorries park in prohibited areas and, if we detect the offence, summonses will be issued on the spot and they will be instructed to move to permitted parking areas," he said.
He was responding to questions regarding recent fatal accidents involving motorcycles crashing into parked heavy vehicles along highways.
He also noted that drivers would park on road shoulders after enforcement officers had left the area.
"That is what happened in the accident last week.
"But I want to assure the public that I have informed the Malaysian Highway Authority and highway concessionaires to increase the number of parking areas for commercial vehicles, especially before entering restricted routes," he said.
He also urged the expansion of parking bays for heavy vehicles at rest and service areas to improve safety for all road users.
"As we all know, R&R areas provide separate parking spaces for private vehicles, commercial vehicles and buses.
"So private vehicle users should park in their designated areas and allow lorries and buses to use the spaces allocated for them.
"If all parties cooperate, we can overcome this problem," he said.
