Consider harsh penalties for heavy vehicle operators - NGO

SHAH ALAM - The government is urged to consider imposing harsher penalties on operators of heavy vehicle companies, including express buses, tour buses, tanker lorries and lorries carrying overloaded cargo.

Alliance of Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that these operators should be held accountable for accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles.

"They (employers) cannot always blame the drivers for every accident. There are cases where accidents happen due to poor vehicle maintenance.

"For instance, a recent incident involved a lorry's tyre coming off, resulting in an accident that claimed seven lives and injured 33 people.

"Therefore, I believe employers should also be brought to court," he told Sinar on Wednesday.

Recently, authorities revealed that the directive requiring bus companies to provide a second driver for journeys exceeding 300 kilometres (km) is not being taken seriously.

During an operation, the Penang Road Transport Department (RTD) issued summonses to 25 express and tour buses for failing to comply with this requirement.

Shockingly, the special operation conducted at three toll plazas also found an express bus being impounded because its driver did not have a valid driving license.

Commenting further, Lee expressed hope that the government would review and study laws related to heavy vehicles to ensure employers were held accountable for accidents.

However, he noted that if drivers commit offences such as consuming alcohol or using illegal substances before driving, they should bear the responsibility.

"If it’s truly the driver’s fault, then punish them," he added.