SEMENYIH, March 10 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will impose a driving ban on cargo vehicles during Aidilfitri on March 28 and 29, as well as April 5 and 6, to facilitate smoother traffic flow and enhance road safety.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the measure aims to accommodate the expected increase in traffic, particularly from private vehicles travelling to hometowns, while reducing the risk of road accidents.
“The Transport Ministry and JPJ urge all goods vehicle owners and drivers to comply with this restriction.
“Failure to do so may result in an RM300 compound or, if prosecuted in court, a fine of up to RM2,000 or imprisonment of up to six months,” he told reporters after attending a JPJ Special Operation and fast-breaking event with enforcement officers here today. Also present was JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli.
Earlier in his speech, Loke highlighted that enforcement efforts and special operations conducted during Chinese New Year resulted in a 10 per cent reduction in road accidents, with 7,882 cases compared with 8,784 the previous year.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety, the Aidilfitri 2025 Special Operation will be implemented nationwide from March 24 to April 8.
“The operation will focus on monitoring, detecting, and taking action against road users who violate traffic laws and regulations,” he said.
Loke also reminded motorists to prioritise road safety and adhere to traffic rules throughout the festive season.
“The public is encouraged to report traffic violations via the MyJPJ app (e-Aduan@jpj) or through JPJ’s official complaint email at [email protected],” he added.
Meanwhile, he reminded commercial vehicle operators to ensure the safety of their vehicles so they don’t harm other motorists.
Operators risk being suspended by the Land Public Transport Agency if their vehicles that are involved in accidents fail the JPJ audit process, he added.
“Now it is a part of the SOP (standard operating procedure), meaning if there is a crash, no matter a normal or fatal one, the lorry company will be audited.
Last year, there were hundreds of lorry companies that failed their audits and had their operations suspended,” he said.
Loke also said body cameras for JPJ personnel were being procured.
“We are subject to the procurement process and hope to get it done with police. We will discuss with the Home Ministry how to undertake a joint procurement,” he said.
Loke also stressed that the ban on three-pin and USB sockets onboard express buses is in effect as guidelines on their use are still being drafted.
He said his ministry is working with Sirim and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry to develop the guidelines.
The ban follows the death of a teenager who was electrocuted to death after charging their mobile phone on an express bus in Butterworth, Penang, in November last year.
— Bernama
