Lorry driver fined RM5,000 for carrying load exceeding maximum limit

SIBU: A man was fined RM5,000 in default one month in jail by the Magistrates’ Court here yesterday for driving a lorry with a load exceeding the maximum limit in December last year.

Magistrate Onn Kerk Chern imposed the fine on the 44-year-old after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section Section 19(3) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987.

The accused paid the fine. The offence was committed along Jalan Sarikei-Sibu at around 10.20am on Dec 13, when the accused operated a dumper/ tipper lorry loaded with oil palm fruit.

According to the charge, the maximum laden weight set in the carrier licence issued by the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board for the lorry was 25,000kg.

However, during weighing, the total laden weight was 48,460kg.

As a result, the driver failed to comply with the conditions set in the carrier licence under Section 19(1)(b)(vi) of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act 1987.

Earlier during mitigation, the accused pleaded for the court to impose a lower fine, saying his income as a lorry driver was not fixed and that he had a wife and child to support.

He also told the court that he would have to use his own savings to pay the fine as his employer would not do so.

Sibu Road Transport Department senior assistant enforcement officer Mohamad Erwan Bohari in his argument informed the court that the act of driving a vehicle with cargo exceeding the limit is among the causes of road accidents.

He also said vehicles carrying loads exceeding the limit can cause road damage which ultimately burdens the government in terms of road maintenance.

In seeking the court to impose a fair punishment, Mohamad Erwan also informed that this was the second time the accused had been caught committing the offence.