Bus passengers urged to buckle up

The Star

5 days ago

ALOR SETAR: The Road Trans­port Department (JPJ) has started enforcement to inspect express and tour buses in several states, in line with the Motor Vehicles (Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems) Regulations 1978 Amend­ment (2008), to see if drivers and passengers comply with the ruling to wear seat belts.
The operations, which have been carried out since Tuesday, also found that although some buses had seat belts on the passenger seats, they were not in working condition.
For the first offence of not wearing a seat belt, the fine is RM2,000 or a jail term of not more than six months.
Kedah Road Transport Dep­art­ment (JPJ) director Stien Van Lutam said they will be using undercover enforcement tactics to detect express and tour bus drivers and passengers who do not wear seat belts.
'Our enforcement is not limited to roadblocks or checks at bus terminals and rest stops.
'Through undercover operations, if drivers or passengers are found not wearing seat belts – and there is visual evidence – a compound will be issued.
'The use of seat belts is ultima­te­ly for one's own safety. In the event of an accident, we want to prevent passengers from being thrown from their seats due to not wearing a seat belt,' he said, Bernama reported.
He said this during a seat belt enforcement operation targeting express and tour buses at the Alor Setar Toll Plaza (northbound) on Tuesday.
During the operation, which began around 4.30pm, a total of 18 express and tour buses were inspected. Sixteen compound noti­ces and two warnings were issued to passengers for not wearing seat belts.
He added that inspections also revealed that many seat belts on the buses were not functioning properly, and JPJ will continue to work with the Royal Malaysia Police and other agencies to carry out similar operations periodi­cally.
'This is a matter of safety. I urge bus operators to ensure that seat belts are available and in good working condition.
'In many cases, seat belts are fitted with the seats, but they're damaged or not usable.'
Over in Selangor, checks by the state JPJ showed a high level of compliance from bus passengers using their seat belts following inspections carried out on 56 express buses and 26 tour buses.
Of that figure, at least five were inspected at the Dengkil R&R Centre yesterday.
JPJ officers were seen flagging down buses nearby along the Elite highway before forwarding them to the checkpoints there.
Passengers were seen complying dutifully, with some even finding time to wave at the waiting media.
Selangor JPJ director Azrin Borhan, who was on the ground, also personally spoke to several passengers and showed them the proper usage of the seat belts.
Speaking to reporters after the checks, he said that he was pleased with the level of compliance in the state.
'We had checked five buses by random here and all passengers were found to have been wearing seat belts.
'Drivers also play an important role in reminding their passengers before heading off on their journey,' he said.
Azrin said while the JPJ will issue summonses to those who do not comply, they will give remin­ders to underage passengers.
'Throughout these two days, we have found that almost all had obeyed the ruling. Continuous efforts will be conducted to ensure enforcement,' he said.
Buses that had faulty seat belts will also be given strict reminders to rectify them 'as soon as possible'.
'If they still refuse to do so and ferry passengers, the bus owner will be issued a summons,' he said.