51 drivers fined for using emergency lane at North-South Expressway

Fifty one drivers caught using the emergency lane at KM222 of the North-South Expressway in May were found guilty and imposed with a total fine of RM75,100 by the court.

Melaka Road Transport Department (RTD) director Mohd Fadhil Hassan said all of them were fined up to RM2,000 at the trial on July 18, July 27, Aug 1 and Aug 8 by the Alor Gajah Magistrate's Court near here.

He said 20 people were charged in the first trial on July 18, July 27 (19 people, Aug 1 (one person) and Aug 8 (11 people) at the court.

"The warrants of arrest were issued against five more drivers who failed to attend court today namely three for the first trial and two on the second day," he told reporters here today.

Earlier he presented the state level RTD Cadet appointment letters at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Ayer Molek, Ayer Molek here.

Earlier the media reported the rampant use of the emergency lane which caused the ambulance to arrive late at the accident location at KM228 of the North-South Expressway north bound near the Pedas-Linggi Rest Area causing the death of two brothers on a motorcycle on May 22.

Mohd Fadhil said twenty two other drivers who committed the same offence would be charged at the Alor Gajah Magistrate Court soon.

Meanwhile, he said, Melaka RTD has issued seven summonses against four express buses and three lorry drivers for driving in the right lane.

"Those who continuously drive in the fast lane faced a compound fine of RM300 or fine by the court for a maximum of RM2,000 or a jail term not exceeding six months," he said.

Earlier he delivered the appointment letters for Melaka RTD cadet to SMK Bukit Katil, SMK Ayer Keroh, SMK Seri Bemban, SMK Datuk Bendahara, SMK Dang Hanum, SMK Durian Tunggal and SMK Tebong.

He said SMK Ayer Molek was the pioneer school to set up an RTD cadet in the state and 45 students were participating in the programme since it was launched last year.