Kuala lumpur: Commercial vehicles not equipped with a Speed Limitation Device (SLD) will not be allowed on the roads as they will fail vehicle inspections once the phased enforcement of the system begins on Oct 1. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the implementation of the SLD is a crucial step in controlling the speed of heavy vehicles and reducing the risk of fatal accidents, particularly involving buses and lorries, adding that such systems have long been mandatory in European countries and Singapore.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Loke acknowledged potential resistance from industry players due to additional costs. However, he emphasized that road safety and human lives must take precedence. He urged all Yang Berhormat to support the government’s efforts for smooth implementation, addressing any opposition by emphasizing that safety should be prioritized over costs and business profits. Loke was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) regarding the impact, cost, and maintenance of SLD enforcement and its comparison with other countries.
The enforcement of SLD installation will occur in three phases, starting this October. Phase 1, commencing on Oct 1, involves verifying SLD functionality for all commercial vehicles manufactured after Jan 1, 2015. Phase 2, effective from Jan 1, 2026, requires activating SLD within the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for commercial vehicles built before Jan 1, 2015. Phase 3 mandates retrofit installation of SLDs with Road Transport Department approval on any commercial vehicles not already equipped with the system, set to begin July 1, 2026.
Responding to a question from Fathul Huzir Ayob (PH-Gerik) regarding the ministry’s intentions to mandate automatic ‘cut-off’ systems for speed control, Loke explained that SLD is an automatic speed control system that electronically limits a vehicle’s speed through its ECU without shutting off the engine, ensuring operational safety. The system applies to all commercial vehicles, specifically goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 3,500kg and passenger vehicles with a GVW exceeding 5,000kg and carrying more than eight passengers.
Addressing Fathul Huzir’s supplementary question on integrating safety systems such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and real-time monitoring systems alongside the SLD, as well as the introduction of black boxes for commercial vehicles, Loke stated that the ministry is considering these proposals. He noted that stakeholder engagement sessions will be necessary for efficient and orderly implementation.