KL Has Banned Heavy Vehicles Exceeding 7.5 Tonnes From Entering The City Centre During Peak Hours

By Lara Kramer  •  22 Jun 2022 in News

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Amidst countless grouses from traffic jam-bound citizens pleading for authorities to ease their commute during busy hours, a new regulation has been set in attempt to curb traffic tie-ups.

Through Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the federal territories ministry has prohibited heavy vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes from entering the city centre during peak times.

The ban is effective immediately.

Jalaluddin Alias, the deputy minister, said that the choice was reached today by a special committee seeking into strategies and necessary actions to alleviate congestion on roads in the capital.

He stated that any large vehicle found accessing the capital during peak hours would be liable for punishment by police and the ministry of transport under Section 79 of The Road Transport Act 1987, an Act to provide for the regulatory oversight of motor vehicles and traffic on roads, as well as other issues pertaining to roads and vehicles thereon.

“Those who breach the restriction will face mandatory compounds.”

“We will take a firm stance by not contemplating any appeals,” he said at a press conference after conducting the special committee’s first session.

Mahadi Che Ngah, the mayor of Kuala Lumpur, was also present.

Traffic delays in the city was also discovered to be caused by a 45 percent increase in the number of vehicles following the loosening of MCO since August of last year, with 46.76 million vehicles documented in December 2021, in contrast with 26.51 million in December 2019.

According to Jalaluddin, the committee also agreed to forbid vehicles from parking on the curb throughout peak hours, and to eventually phase out all parking areas on main roads in phases of the process.

“We are also prohibiting traders from business operations on pavement structures during peak hours and will remove or relocate trading sites on major road pavements in stages,” he added.

While the official definition for ‘peak hours’ has not been confirmed by authorities in this context, KL roads are generally busy from 7 am to 9 am, and 5 pm to 7:30 pm on weekdays; also deemed ‘rush hour’, as corporate workers usually rush to, or from work at these times.

Hopeful netizens have since responded to the matter, expecting that the small step may decrease their traffic woes, if only slightly.