| Azlan Othman |
THE Land Transport Department (JPD) issued stern warning to logistics and transportation companies and their drivers carrying heavy vehicles.
The warning was issued during an operation conducted by JPD last Sunday along Muara-Tutong Highway and Jalan Muara.
In the operation, 16 fines were issued in which seven were for the offence of carrying excessive load. This was highlighted by the Acting Director of the Land Transport Department (JPD), Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud to the media yesterday.
He added that during the operations conducted in 2016 and 2017, some 1,334 road traffic offences involving heavy vehicles were recorded, where 508 fines were issued in 2017 and 826 fines in 2016.
Out of those figures, 50 per cent of the offences involved carrying excessive load; 27 per cent offences relating to vehicle worthiness and carrying load deemed dangerous and another 10 per cent of fine were imposed for driving with bald tyres.
In 2017, for offences carrying excessive load which is a violation under regulation 161 of the road traffic, 224 fines were issued, out of which 66 per cent (133 fines) were recorded in Jalan Serasa involving 33 logistics and transportation companies.
Other places include Muara-Tutong Highway; Tutong-Telisai Highway and Jalan Tutong in Kampong Madewa area.
Final warnings were issued to the companies and if repeated offence is recorded, JPD and other enforcement officers will not hesitate to take strong action against the drivers for failing to adhere to road acts and regulations.
This include the suspension of driving licence, vehicle licence and company’s permit in accordance with the rules.
JPD reiterated on the need for operators/owners of transportation companies to be more responsible and adhere to the rules to enhance safety for the public and also to keep the roads in good condition.