PETALING JAYA: Photo evidence submitted against those abusing emergency lanes on highways will be acted upon, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has assured.

Its enforcement director Datuk V. Valluvan Veloo, responding to complaints that the JPJ was dragging its feet on the issue, said specific officers were tasked to handle such complaints online.

He said under the law, even motorcyclists were barred from using emergency lanes.

“But we want evidence on cars and lorries as these are more dangerous,” he said.

“We find the initiative to be very effective as our enforcement officers cannot be anywhere and everywhere,” he said, adding that 1,300 photographs of vehicles using emergency lanes were sent in from May 22.

Valluvan said complaints from the respective states were channelled to the JPJ headquarters which “will respond to each one”.

“We are constantly monitoring it and when we have enough evidence, we will bring the offenders to court,” he added.

Valluvan, however, cautioned that only passengers were allowed to snap photos, saying drivers were barred from doing so.

It was reported last month that vehicles travelling on the emergency lane at the 228th kilometre of the North-South Expressway had hindered an ambulance from reaching an accident site.

After viewing a video recording of the vehicles on the emergency lane, JPJ issued 91 notices to the vehicle owners concerned who were given 14 days to appear at the JPJ office.

It is learnt that it took the ambulance about an hour before it could reach the accident scene involving two motorcyclists. Both died from their injuries.

Meanwhile, police will crack down hard against the illegal use of emergency lanes during the coming balik kampung rush.

Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the lanes were meant for emergency purposes.

“Motorists who drive on emergency lanes do not understand that they are obstructing personnel from reaching the scene as fast as possible.

“We will act against anyone caught using emergency lanes with the maximum RM300 fine imposed,’’ he added.

Resource : TheStar Online