JPJ: 1.55 Million Goods Vehicles Inspected, RM257 Million In Fines Issued

A recent report by local daily Utusan Malaysia revealed a staggering number of summonses issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). This more or less highlights a deeply rooted issue in Malaysia’s transport sector.

Between 2023 and July this year, out of 1.55 million goods vehicles inspected, a shocking 857,000 were found to be violating the law, resulting in the issuance of 856,873 summonses. This means that more than half of the inspected vehicles were caught committing offences, ranging from driving without a licence to exceeding load limits and transporting hazardous goods.

In 2023 alone, JPJ issued 524,873 summonses, with another 332,000 in the first seven months of this year. Of these, 81,263 were due to drivers lacking a drivers licence, while over 63,000 notices were handed out for exceeding load limits.

With fines amounting to over RM257 million, it’s clear that these violations are serious. However, the recurrence of such offences begs the question: Are these penalties really enough to discourage repeat offenders and promote a culture of compliance among drivers and vehicle owners?

JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli has rightly pointed out the department’s increased enforcement, especially against goods vehicles, which are frequently involved in overloading and road accidents with lorries and trailers.

While JPJ’s efforts to enforce the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act 2010 are commendable, the persistence of these violations suggests that more needs to be done. Stricter penalties, such as vehicle seizures and forfeitures, could be key in delivering a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.

Additionally, the JPJ and other relevant authorities need to investigate the underlying reasons behind such widespread non-compliance. Are there systemic issues at play—like inadequate training, poor working conditions, or economic pressures—that drive drivers to break the law?

It’s crucial that authorities continue to rigorously enforce the law while also addressing the broader factors contributing to this ongoing problem.