Lorry driver fined over road obstruction

SIBU: A lorry driver, who left his heavy vehicle obstructing a road after encountering a mechanical problem, was fined RM3,000 by the Magistrates’ Court here on Thursday (Oct. 8) after a car collided with the stationary vehicle.

Singa Jok, 57, of Jalan Wawasan, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 before Magistrate Romario Jonoi.

He was fined RM3,000, in default three months’ jail. The accused, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, opted to pay the fine.

The offence occurred at about 2:30 am on September 20, when Singa parked his lorry trailer along Jalan Salim after encountering an oil hose problem involving the lorry’s prime mover.

Shortly afterwards, a car, travelling from behind, collided with the rear right-hand side of the stationary lorry.

Police investigations revealed that the accused had parked the vehicle on the road in an undesignated area, creating an obstruction and posing a danger to other road users.

He had also failed to place safety warning devices, such as traffic cones or a warning triangle, at the required distance to alert approaching motorists to the presence of the stationary vehicle.

Under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, a driver convicted of leaving a vehicle on the road in circumstances likely to cause danger, obstruction or undue inconvenience to other road users, faces a fine of between RM1,000 and RM5,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than one year, or both.

Inspector Ting Yew Kang prosecuted the case.