Magistrate Nor Azizah Yusof handed down the sentence after all the accused, comprising 16 men and four women aged between 23 and 65, pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Six accused were fined RM1,000; 11 accused were fined RM1,500; and three others were fined RM2,000.

Nineteen of the accused could be liable to a month’s jail if they failed to pay the fine. One of the accused, fined RM2,000 by the court, could face two months’ jail if he failed to pay the fine.

All the accused were charged with driving on the emergency lane at Km222 of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) here at 5pm on May 22.

They were charged under Rule 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 1959, punishable under Section 119 (2) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a maximum imprisonment of six months’ or fine of up to RM2,000 or both upon conviction.

In mitigation for a lenient sentence, the drivers said they had used the emergency lane to get to their destinations quickly, to avoid traffic congestion, they were “bursting” to go to the toilet, due to vehicles breaking down and being unaware of the emergency lane rules.

Nor Azizah said the court should take into account the public interest in imposing sentences because the offences had not only affected accident victims but also other road users.

“If you were not using the emergency lane, the help could be channelled immediately… In fact, vehicles involved in a crash can be removed quickly to avoid traffic congestion.

“The actions of certain people have resulted in slow emergency response… Think of those who are really in need (help). If you are the victim’s family, of course you will be angry,” she said.

Prosecuting officer Nur Azmina Jacqueline Abdullah, from the Road Transport Department (RTD), prosecuted, while all the accused were not represented.

On May 22, several vehicles had been identified as using the emergency lane, which resulted in the late arrival of the ambulance at a crash site at Km228 of PLUS, near the Pedas-Linggi rest and service area here. The two motorcyclists involved in the accident later died.