In response to the growing number of fatal bus and lorry accidents, speed limitation devices will now be made mandatory on commercial vehicles.
Malaysia will soon mandate the use of speed-limiting devices (SLDs) for all commercial vehicles as part of a phased initiative to improve road safety and reduce fatal accidents.
This move follows a series of tragic crashes involving heavy vehicles, including a recent bus accident in Gerik that claimed 15 lives.
Why Speed Limiters Matter
According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, controlling the speed of buses and lorries is essential to reducing high-impact collisions. SLDs, already standard in Europe and Singapore, will help enforce compliance with speed regulations. While some industry players have raised concerns over cost, the government insists that safety must take precedence over profit.
Three-Phase Enforcement Timeline
Phase 1 (Oct 1, 2025) – All commercial vehicles manufactured after Jan 1, 2015 must undergo verification of their existing SLD functionality during inspections. Vehicles without functioning SLDs will fail inspection.
Phase 2 (Jan 1, 2026) – Commercial vehicles built before Jan 1, 2015 must have their SLD activated through the electronic control unit (ECU).
Phase 3 (July 1, 2026) – Retrofit installation of SLDs will be mandatory for any commercial vehicle not already equipped. These retrofits will require Road Transport Department (JPJ) approval before enforcement.
The rule applies to goods vehicles exceeding 3,500 kg GVW and passenger vehicles exceeding 5,000 kg GVW or carrying more than eight passengers.
Future Safety Enhancements
The ministry is also studying proposals to integrate automatic emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC), real-time monitoring systems, and black boxes for commercial vehicles.
As the automotive industry transitions toward stricter safety standards, the implementation of SLDs marks a major step in reducing road fatalities and enhancing compliance across Malaysia’s commercial transport sector. It’s not going to completely eliminate the risk of these accidents, but it’s a really good first step and in our book it’s another positive move by Minister of Transport Anthony Loke in making our roads safer through government measures.
