KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) is investigating the lorry suspected of causing a fatal accident at the Kajang Toll Plaza recently, focusing particularly on the vehicle’s braking system, which is believed to have malfunctioned.
Its Crash Investigation Team is working to determine whether brake failure or other factors were the primary cause of the tragic incident.
“Miros is working closely with relevant authorities, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), to ensure a thorough investigation.
“This evaluation is crucial in identifying the root cause and formulating effective preventive measures,” Miros said in a statement.
The crash, which occurred at 10.50am on Saturday (September 27), involved a lorry, a car, and two sport utility vehicles (SUVs), resulting in the death of a one-year-old boy and injuries to seven others.
On Sunday (September 28), Kajang district police chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said their preliminary investigations revealed that the lorry was last serviced in April, and that the driver claimed he jumped out of the vehicle after experiencing brake failure.
In a statement yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that records showed the lorry had two valid permits and had passed inspection at the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom).
However, its brakes are believed to have failed, leading to the lorry crashing into the toll plaza and several other vehicles.
Miros emphasised that regular maintenance is critical to ensuring road safety, especially for commercial vehicles that are frequently on the road and often carry heavy loads.
Drivers and transport operators must routinely inspect brakes, tyres, and other critical components before each journey, and ensure scheduled maintenance and strict adherence to road regulations, including observing speed limits, taking sufficient rest, and avoiding risky driving behaviours.
A Miros study in 2022 revealed that only 31.9 per cent of public and commercial vehicle operators adhered to the Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) for Road Transport Safety.
Larger operators demonstrated significantly higher compliance rates at 93.6 per cent, compared to smaller operators. Express and tour buses recorded better compliance rates at 78 per cent and 71 per cent respectively, while lorries lagged significantly behind at just four per cent.
The institute also highlighted the importance of using Child Restraint Systems (CRS), which have been mandatory in Malaysia since January 1, 2020. Despite this, CRS usage remains low at only about 30 per cent as of 2022.
PDRM statistics showed that between 2014 and 2023, an average of 434 children died annually in road crashes, which is equivalent to eight child fatalities per week.
“Properly installed child safety seats, suited to a child’s height and weight, can reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 54 to 71 per cent for children aged zero to 4 years,” Miros said.
It is urging policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the transport industry to intensify advocacy, education, and enforcement efforts to boost CRS usage nationwide.
