Teluk Intan Fru Tragedy Overloaded Lorry Not Brake Failure To Blame Mot Report Finds

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In the accident at 8.54am on May 13, nine FRU members were killed, while nine others were injured after the FRU truck they were travelling in collided with the tipper lorry. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — The Transport Ministry’s final report on the fatal crash involving a tipper lorry and a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) truck in Teluk Intan has found that the lorry was carrying more than 70 per cent above its legal load limit.
According to the report, the excessive load made the vehicle harder to slow down and control, becoming the main reason it lost control during the driver’s emergency manoeuvre to avoid the vehicle ahead — despite no mechanical failures being detected.
“The tipper lorry was carrying 40,960 kilograms of gravel, exceeding the permitted Gross Vehicle Weight (BDM) of 24,000 kilograms by 70.67 per cent.
“The excessive load increased the vehicle’s kinetic energy, reduced its braking efficiency and stability, and was the main factor contributing to the loss of control. 
“No mechanical failures were detected in the tipper lorry’s braking or steering systems,” the report said.
The report also noted that the driver held valid CDL and GDL licences but had 14 previous traffic offences and had never attended formal safety training.
Organisational negligence was cited as a key contributing factor, with the lorry operator found to have failed to comply with Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) Safety requirements, including internal controls on loading, maintenance scheduling, and driver monitoring.
It also found that the lorry’s GPS system was not functioning, leaving its speed unmonitored.
“The FRU lorry was not equipped with seat belts, headrests, or passenger restraint systems. The rear compartment was used to carry both personnel and equipment, with foldable side-facing seats that increased the occupants’ exposure to lateral impact during the collision.
“The cause of the accident was the lorry entering the opposite lane and colliding with the FRU lorry,” it said.
The report concluded that the loss of control was directly caused by excessive overloading, which impaired the vehicle’s braking, stability, and steering.
On May 13, a fatal crash occurred along Jalan Chikus–Sungai Lampam in Teluk Intan, Perak, involving a gravel-laden tipper lorry from Tashveen Trading and an FRU lorry belonging to the Royal Malaysia Police.
Nine FRU personnel were killed and nine others injured. - malaymail

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