Road Transport Act 1987 · Updated to 15 Oct 2023 · Part III · Roads
86. Restriction of vehicles on bridges
Feedback & supportWhere the Minister charged with the responsibility for works in relation to a bridge on a Federal road, or the appropriate authority in relation to any other bridge, within the area of such authority, is satisfied that the bridge is insufficient—
Minister
“Minister” means the Minister charged with responsibility for transport;
to carry a vehicle the weight of which exceeds a certain maximum weight;
to carry a vehicle the axle weight of which exceeds a certain maximum axle weight; or
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to carry a vehicle the weight or the axle weight respectively of which exceeds a certain maximum weight when traveling at more than a certain maximum speed, he or it may, by a conspicuous notice placed in a proper position at each end of the bridge, prohibit the use of the bridge, as the case may be, by a vehicle weighing more than the weight specified in such notice, or by a vehicle the axle weights of which are more than the axle weight specified in such notice when travelling at more than a speed specified in the notice.
For the purposes of this section—
“axle weight” means the weight transmitted to any strip of the surface upon which the vehicle rests contained between any two parallel lines drawn 0.6 metre apart on that surface at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
“placed in a proper position” means placed in such a position either at or near the bridge or on or near the road leading to the bridge so as to be visible at a reasonable distance to the drivers of vehicles approaching the bridges;
“weight” means the actual weight of the vehicle at the time, including the weight of every person and thing carried on it or by it, and for the purposes of this paragraph, a vehicle and any trailer drawn thereby shall be deemed to be a single vehicle.
If a vehicle is driven on or across a bridge in contravention of this section, any person who so drives it, or causes or permits it to be so driven shall, without prejudice to any civil liability incurred by him in the case of damage being caused to the bridge or otherwise, be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
vehicle
“vehicle” means a structure capable of moving or being moved or used for the conveyance of any person or thing and which maintains contact with the ground when in motion;
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road
“road” means— (a) any public road and any other road to which the public has access and includes bridges, tunnels, lay-bys, ferry facilities, interchanges, roundabouts, traffic islands, road dividers, all traffic lanes, acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, side-tables, median strips, overpasses, underpasses, approaches, entrance and exit ramps, toll plazas, service areas, and other structures and fixtures to fully effect its use; (b) for the purposes of sections 70 and 85, also includes a road under construction; and (c) for the purpose of sections 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 and 45A, also includes a parking place;
If in any proceedings under this section the prosecutor satisfies the court that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the weight of the vehicle exceeded the maximum weight specified in the notice, or that any axle weight of the vehicle exceeded the maximum axle weight so specified, the burden shall lie on the defendant to prove that the weight of the vehicle, or every axle weight of the vehicle, as the case may be, did not exceed such maximum weight or maximum axle weight.
Where the maximum permissible laden weight of any vehicle is indicated by marks placed thereon in accordance with any written law for the time being in force, the weight of that vehicle shall be taken to be not less than the weight so indicated, unless the person charged with an offence under this section proves, to the satisfaction of the court, that at the time of passing over the bridge the weight of that vehicle was some lesser weight.
maximum permissible laden weight
“maximum permissible laden weight” means such weight as the Director General shall specify as a laden weight which is suitable for a specific vehicle using a road;