KUALA LUMPUR: The Road Transport Department (RTD) seized 11 lorries and one bus in the nationwide 'Ops Khas Teknikal Gempur' crackdown on heavy vehicles launched two days ago.
RTD enforcement senior director, Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan, said the common offences detected during the operation included the use of bald tyres, absence of road tax, and lack of insurance coverage.
"Preliminary interrogations revealed that many drivers cited pressure to meet trip schedules as the reason for neglecting safety protocols. Many prioritise completing trips over safety, often citing instructions from their 'bosses'. However, using lorries with bald tyres is extremely dangerous as the tyres can burst at any time. Such excuses are unacceptable because safety must always come first," he said when contacted today.
Muhammad Kifli said there were also instances of lorry drivers refusing to cooperate, with some even abandoning their vehicles and fleeing to avoid the authorities. "Some drivers left their vehicles by the roadside and fled, but we still issued summonses by attaching them to the vehicles.
"The notices require the drivers or vehicle owners to attend an interrogation session. They are given 14 days to comply, failing which their vehicles may be blacklisted," he said.
Over the two-day operation, JPJ inspected a total of 6,185 heavy vehicles, comprising 5,691 goods vehicles and 494 public service vehicles. During the same period, 847 vehicles were penalised, including 809 goods vehicles and 38 public service vehicles.
The operation is part of JPJ's efforts to enhance road safety by ensuring compliance with regulations among heavy vehicle operators.