KUCHING: The Sarawak Road Transport Department (JPJ) intensified its efforts to ensure road safety last week by launching an operation codenamed ‘Ops Lebih Muatan’ aimed at curbing goods vehicles transporting excess cargo.
A total of 11 non-compliance notices were issued to drivers found committing the offence along the routes from Sibu to Kuching on Aug 11.
In the operation led by Sarawak JPJ Enforcement Division chief Maya Morshidi, the department used a mobile weighing unit to accurately assess the weight of vehicles and their cargo.
The drivers can be charged under Section 19(1)(vi) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987 for overloading. Those found guilty can face fines of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
The department urged the public to channel any traffic complaints directly through the e-Aduan @jpj application or http://jpj.spab.gov.my.
The consequences of overloading extend beyond legal repercussions as overloaded vehicles pose significant risks to road infrastructure as they contribute to increased wear and tear of roads as well as increase the likelihood of accidents.
