MALACCA: Despite today's deadline, less than half of the 79 drivers identified using the emergency lane of the North-South Expressway after a fatal accident here last month, have responded to the investigation notices issued to them.
Malacca Road Transport Department (RTD) director Mohd Fadhil Hassan said only 37 offenders have came to the department's offices here and in Batu Pahat, Johor as at 2pm today to respond to the investigation notices issued to them under Section 114 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
He said the offenders have been summoned to appear in the Alor Gajah magistrate's court near here next month.
"Twenty-three offenders will be charged on July 18 while the remaining 14 on July 25.
"They will be charged under Rule 53 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959 for using the emergency lane," he said when contacted today.
He said the offence carries a RM2,000 fine or six months' jail or both, if convicted.
Fadhil said the department would issue summonses to the remaining 39 drivers for failing to respond to the investigation notices that have been issued to them under Section 114 of the Road Transport Act 1987 within the stipulated time.
He said the offenders faced a fine not more than RM5,000 or a maximum jail sentence of one year or both, upon conviction.
"They will also be charged under Rule 53 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959," he said.
Fadhil said action against drivers of three Singapore-registered vehicles who committed the same offence would be initiated once the Vehicle Entry Permit system is implemented on July 15.
RTD enforcement chief Datuk V. Valluvan was reportedly said that starting tomorrow, the department would be tracking down the offenders who failed to respond to the notices.
It was reported that two siblings who were earlier involved in an accident at Km228 of the NSE near Simpang Ampat in Alor Gajah on May 22, died of their injuries after an ambulance despatched to help them was delayed by motorists who used the emergency lane.