MIROS Investigating Suspected Brake Failure In Fatal Kajang Toll Plaza Crash

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) is investigating the lorry suspected of causing a fatal accident at the Kajang toll plaza, focusing particularly on the vehicle’s braking system, which is believed to have malfunctioned.

In a statement, MIROS said 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,” it said.

The crash, which occurred at 10.50 am last Saturday, 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, Kajang District Police Chief ACP Naazron Abdul Yusof said 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.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, in a statement yesterday, said records showed the lorry had two valid permits and had passed inspection at Puspakom, the national vehicle inspection centre. 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.

It said 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 showed much higher compliance 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.

MIROS also highlighted the importance of using Child Restraint Systems (CRS), which have been mandatory in Malaysia since Jan 1, 2020. Despite this, CRS usage remains low at only about 30 per cent as of 2022.

It said that 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 0 to 4 years,” MIROS noted.

The institute is urging policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the transport industry to intensify advocacy, education, and enforcement efforts to boost CRS usage nationwide.

-- BERNAMA