Heavy vehicles which damage roads should be taxed more, says expert

Free Malaysia Today

23-06-2025

The works ministry said it faces financial constraints in repairing high-risk roads nationwide, including the East-West Highway. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : A road safety expert has urged the government to consider increasing taxes on heavy vehicles such as lorries and trailers, which are the main culprits behind road damage, and channel the revenue for repairs.
Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia's road safety research centre said the heavier tax could help the works ministry offset the cost of road maintenance, which is estimated to reach RM4 billion annually.
'This measure should be implemented alongside stricter enforcement mechanisms, such as the installation of weigh-in systems at strategic locations, and steps to ensure the increased tax burden does not fall on end-users,' he told FMT.
On Wednesday, the works ministry said it faced financial constraints in repairing high-risk roads nationwide, including the East-West Highway, because of costs nearing RM4 billion.
Its minister, Alexander Nanta Linggi, previously acknowledged that heavy vehicles carrying excessive loads were the main cause of road damage, particularly potholes.
Law also mooted heavier fines and licence suspensions for transport companies that repeatedly exceed weight limits.
'The government should also consider applying the 'polluter pays' principle, whereby fines are directly channelled into a dedicated road maintenance fund.
'In addition, a blacklist system should be introduced for repeat offenders to curb habitual violations,' he said.
He said all funds collected must be managed transparently and subject to audit.
To promote a culture of compliance, Law suggested that the government could offer incentives such as tax rebates or official recognition for companies that consistently followed the rules.
To reduce damage caused by overloaded vehicles, the works ministry could also adopt more durable construction technologies such as geosynthetics or modified asphalt in road building, he said.
Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, founder of transport think tank My Mobility Vision, proposed a special levy or road-use tax for heavy vehicles, similar to systems implemented in Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand.
He said such levies were calculated based on the vehicle's weight and travel distance.
'The tax revenue should go into a dedicated road maintenance fund, used exclusively by the works ministry for road repairs and upkeep.
'Fines collected from overloading violations should also go directly into this fund and not be absorbed into the federal government's consolidated fund,' he said.
Wan Agyl said it was essential to ensure revenue from violations was used to repair damage caused specifically by heavy vehicles.
'Without such a mechanism, the ministry will remain burdened with high repair costs while funds from enforcement penalties are lost in the general budget.
'This is not about punishing the logistics industry but about protecting public infrastructure. Without proper accountability, roads are being abused while the public ends up footing the bill through general taxation,' he said.