M'sia to ban buses & lorries from using right lane on highways to help prevent accidents

Malaysia will ban buses and lorries from using the right lane on highways.

Buses and lorries must remain in the left lane

According to Malaysian media, such heavy vehicles must remain in the left lane and are not allowed to speed, the Secretary-General of Malaysia's Transport Ministry, Jana Santhiran Muniayan, was quoted by The New Straits Times as saying.

As for overtaking, Muniayan added, "If they need to overtake, they may move to the second lane and then return to the left."

He reiterated, "However, they are strictly prohibited from using the third lane at any time."

Muniayan also pointed out that the rule preventing lorries and buses from using the right lane on highways had been gazetted in 2015, but has not been enforced until now.

He said, "Therefore, we will resubmit this proposal to the minister to ensure its enforcement for heavy vehicles on highways."

Mandatory installation of speed control devices

Other measures announced by Malaysia's Transport Ministry include the compulsory installation of speed control devices on heavy vehicles to limit speeds to 80 to 90kmh, so as to prevent accidents.

Muniayan said all new lorries are already equipped with these speed control devices.

Owners of older vehicles have can install devices approved by the authorities themselves.

Heavy vehicles will also be required to install a GPS tracker, and there will be inspections conducted every six months to ensure they have these devices installed, Muniayan added.

The New Straits Times further reported that these measures were the outcome of a task force that was established in January 2025 to address issues related to heavy vehicles, including accidents.

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