No directive from MHA to ban heavy vehicles during short holidays -PLUS

There were no directives from the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) to ban heavy vehicles from using highways during short holidays such as Hari Raya Aidiladha.

A North-South Expressway (PLUS) Malaysia spokesman said, the heavy vehicles are only banned from using the highways during long holidays such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and the year end holidays.

PLUS was responding on a debate which had resurfaced on the social media questioning heavy vehicles banned from using the highway during festive times, following a fatal accident in KM256 north bound at the Menora Tunnel of the North-South Highway.

East Coast Expressway (LPT) traffic controller Noorsyafiza Azizan admitted that there were no directives from the MHA to ban heavy vehicles from using highways during short holidays.

However, she feels that such a directive must be issued by them.

“Heavy vehicles are banned from the highways two days before and after the celebration such as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"The ban should apply at least a day before and after the break as people are known to leave for their hometowns even during the short break," she added.

An image taken at the accident site - Fire and Rescue Department Facebook

The accident involved Norhayati Wook, 50, and Siti Yuslianis Roslan, 20, a student of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) who died at the scene from severe head injuries while three other siblings suffered minor injuries.

It was reported that Kuala Kangsar OCPD ACP Ghuzlan Salleh had said that the 11.30am incident occurred when a trailer believed to have lost control, crashed into the car which was ferrying a family of five.

The tragedy involved five cars and a trailer - Fire and Rescue Department Facebook

Of the fatal tragedy, Ghuzlan described it as 'tragic' and that everything happened so fast.

The Hino trailer was en route to Penang from Johor Bahru - Fire and Rescue Department Facebook

The Hino trailer filled with mosaic tiles was en route to Penang from Johor Bahru. In the tragedy, the five vehicles involved including two Proton Alza, a Honda City, a Perodua Myvi and a Mercedes were reportedly badly damaged, but neither drivers nor passengers were hurt. He said the driver of the trailer who is in his 40s is being detained for further investigation. The incident was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department uploaded several pictures of the incident on their Facebook page.