Latest news with #DriverMonitoringSystem
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Malay Mail
Tiong: Tourism Ministry expediting rollout of monitoring system to ensure tourism transport drivers suited for operations
BINTULU, July 1— The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is expediting the rollout of a Driver Monitoring System to ensure all tourism transport drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate. Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing yesterday said the move comes in the wake of the recent Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy that claimed three lives and injured nine others. 'The Driver Monitoring System will include mandatory drug screenings (urine tests) for all tourism transport operators, including boat and bus drivers. 'There are also plans to reassign regulatory control over tour transport vehicles currently under the Transport Ministry back to Motac, allowing for more integrated oversight of tourist safety. 'We aim to revamp the current regulatory framework to drastically reduce accidents involving tourism transport, especially tour buses,' he said. He added that other proposed safety measures include mandatory maintenance checks and periodic inspections of tour vehicles, as well as a stronger maritime presence by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to monitor seafaring vessels. Tiong said during his international engagements, foreign ministers and tourism stakeholders would consistently raise concerns over Malaysia's tourism safety record. 'They want assurance that Malaysia is serious about the safety of travelers. We must meet those expectations. I urge all industry players to take this moment as a wake-up call, and fully cooperate with the government's safety reforms.' He also expressed his deep anger and disappointment over the Pulau Perhentian boat incident, and said initial investigations had uncovered a series of glaring violations by both the travel agency and boat operator involved. 'This includes operating with an expired licence since April, failing to ensure passengers wore life jackets, and most concerning of all, the boat operator tested positive for drugs following a urine test,' he said, adding that the operator also had five prior drug-related offences. Tiong also criticised the travel agency's shocking decision to employ such an individual, calling it a blatant disregard for human life. He has since ordered the ministry to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident and all parties involved, promising accountability and stricter enforcement. 'In your pursuit of profit, do not ever compromise on safety. There have been many incidents in Malaysia that have affected the tourism sector and damaged our country's reputation. 'Repeated safety lapses could lead to serious consequences, including travel advisories from foreign governments, which would deal a long-term blow to Malaysia's tourism industry,' he cautioned. — The Borneo Post
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Borneo Post
Tiong: Ministry expediting rollout of monitoring system to ensure drivers suited for operations
Tiong said the move comes in the wake of the recent Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy that claimed three lives and injured nine others. – Bernama photo BINTULU (July 1): The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) is expediting the rollout of a Driver Monitoring System to ensure all tourism transport drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate. Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing yesterday said the move comes in the wake of the recent Pulau Perhentian boat tragedy that claimed three lives and injured nine others. 'The Driver Monitoring System will include mandatory drug screenings (urine tests) for all tourism transport operators, including boat and bus drivers. 'There are also plans to reassign regulatory control over tour transport vehicles currently under the Transport Ministry back to Motac, allowing for more integrated oversight of tourist safety. 'We aim to revamp the current regulatory framework to drastically reduce accidents involving tourism transport, especially tour buses,' he said. He added that other proposed safety measures include mandatory maintenance checks and periodic inspections of tour vehicles, as well as a stronger maritime presence by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to monitor seafaring vessels. Tiong said during his international engagements, foreign ministers and tourism stakeholders would consistently raise concerns over Malaysia's tourism safety record. 'They want assurance that Malaysia is serious about the safety of travelers. We must meet those expectations. I urge all industry players to take this moment as a wake-up call, and fully cooperate with the government's safety reforms.' He also expressed his deep anger and disappointment over the Pulau Perhentian boat incident, and said initial investigations had uncovered a series of glaring violations by both the travel agency and boat operator involved. 'This includes operating with an expired licence since April, failing to ensure passengers wore life jackets, and most concerning of all, the boat operator tested positive for drugs following a urine test,' he said, adding that the operator also had five prior drug-related offences. Tiong also criticised the travel agency's shocking decision to employ such an individual, calling it a blatant disregard for human life. He has since ordered the ministry to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident and all parties involved, promising accountability and stricter enforcement. 'In your pursuit of profit, do not ever compromise on safety. There have been many incidents in Malaysia that have affected the tourism sector and damaged our country's reputation. 'Repeated safety lapses could lead to serious consequences, including travel advisories from foreign governments, which would deal a long-term blow to Malaysia's tourism industry,' he cautioned. Driver Monitoring System safety Tiong King Sing tourism
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- New Straits Times
Perhentian boat tragedy: Travel agency, operator had no licence
KUALA LUMPUR: The travel agency and boat operator behind the boat tragedy off Pulau Perhentian that killed three, including two children, had no licence to operate. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing revealed that the agency and operators' licences expired in April. "I am deeply angered and disappointed by the tragic boat capsize incident off Pulau Perhentian, which resulted in three deaths and nine injuries. "I have immediately instructed the ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter." He said aside from operating without a licence, the agency and boat operator also failed to ensure the passengers wore life jackets. "Most alarmingly, the boatman tested positive for drugs in his urine test," he said, adding the boatman also had a record for five prior drug-related offences. "The fact that the travel agency saw fit to hire such a person to ferry passengers at sea is a gross negligence of safety and a complete disregard for human lives," he said in a statement. Last night, the boat carrying 15 passengers aged between three and 40, capsized during a storm. The dead were identified as S. Arumugam, 40; his daughter A. Sarrvihka, 3; and a 10-year-old relative, V. Vennpani. Besut police chief Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu said today that the boat driver, who tested positive for drugs, has been arrested. Meanwhile, Tiong warned all tourism operators against compromising on safety. "Malaysia has already experienced numerous incidents that have cast a shadow over our tourism sector, damaging the country's reputation and, in some cases, prompting foreign governments to issue travel warnings against certain destinations here. "If left unchecked, this will severely affect our tourism industry in the long run," he said. He called on the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to closely monitor all vessels involved in maritime activities. Separately, he said tour bus safety management is also a key area of focus for the ministry. He said the ministry is working towards transferring the regulatory authority over tourism-related transport vehicles from the Transport Ministry back to his ministry. "Once this jurisdiction is reinstated, we will undertake a comprehensive review of current regulatory frameworks to significantly reduce the occurrence of tour bus accidents. "One of the measures we plan to implement is the Driver Monitoring System, along with mandatory urine drug testing, to ensure that bus drivers entrusted with passenger safety are in sound physical and mental condition." He also said tour buses must undergo regular maintenance and inspection to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to accidents. Tiong said foreign ministers and industry representatives of other countries have raised the issue of tourist safety with him.
India.com
04-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Govt Buses To Get 360-Degree Cameras, Driver Monitoring Systems In THIS State
Chennai: In a major initiative to enhance passenger safety and improve operational efficiency, the Tamil Nadu government has floated tenders worth Rs 17 crore to install advanced surveillance and driver monitoring systems in buses operated by State Transport Undertakings (STUs). The project is being executed through the Institute of Road Transport (IRT). The move follows an announcement made by Transport and Electricity Minister S.S. Sivasankar during the debate on the Transport Department's demand for grants in the Assembly. According to tender notifications issued by the IRT, the government plans to equip 4,000 buses with 360-degree surveillance camera systems at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. In addition, a pilot project worth Rs 2 crore will introduce Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) in 500 buses. Each bus under the camera project will be fitted with four high-definition wide-angle cameras, providing a full panoramic view that helps eliminate blind spots. Priced at Rs 37,500 per unit, these cameras will come with features such as wide dynamic range (WDR), auto white balance, digital noise reduction, and infrared capability for low-light conditions. The systems will also support encrypted data transmission and comply with established data protection norms. Minister Sivasankar had earlier informed the Assembly that the 360-degree surveillance systems will aid in detecting pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles that are often missed by conventional mirrors, especially in congested urban areas. The real-time footage will also serve as valuable legal evidence in the event of road accidents. The Driver Monitoring System (DMS) units, each costing Rs 40,000, will employ artificial intelligence and infrared sensors to monitor drivers for signs of fatigue, distraction, or drowsiness. These systems will track eye movements, head position, and posture, and provide real-time alerts to allow for immediate corrective action. Additionally, each DMS unit will record behavioural data to support post-trip analysis and help plan training interventions for drivers. The current rollout on 500 buses is a pilot phase, with the potential for a wider implementation depending on its effectiveness and feedback from transport authorities. This initiative marks a significant technological upgrade for Tamil Nadu's public transport system and is expected to improve both passenger safety and driver accountability across the fleet.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
TN to install 360-degree cameras, driver monitoring systems in govt buses
In a major initiative to enhance passenger safety and improve operational efficiency, the Tamil Nadu government has floated tenders worth Rs 17 crore to install advanced surveillance and driver monitoring systems in buses operated by State Transport Undertakings (STUs). The project is being executed through the Institute of Road Transport (IRT). The move follows an announcement made by Transport and Electricity Minister S.S. Sivasankar during the debate on the Transport Department's demand for grants in the Assembly. According to tender notifications issued by the IRT, the government plans to equip 4,000 buses with 360-degree surveillance camera systems at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. In addition, a pilot project worth Rs 2 crore will introduce Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) in 500 buses. Each bus under the camera project will be fitted with four high-definition wide-angle cameras, providing a full panoramic view that helps eliminate blind spots. Priced at Rs 37,500 per unit, these cameras will come with features such as wide dynamic range (WDR), auto white balance, digital noise reduction, and infrared capability for low-light conditions. The systems will also support encrypted data transmission and comply with established data protection norms. Minister Sivasankar had earlier informed the Assembly that the 360-degree surveillance systems will aid in detecting pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles that are often missed by conventional mirrors, especially in congested urban areas. The real-time footage will also serve as valuable legal evidence in the event of road accidents. The Driver Monitoring System (DMS) units, each costing Rs 40,000, will employ artificial intelligence and infrared sensors to monitor drivers for signs of fatigue, distraction, or drowsiness. These systems will track eye movements, head position, and posture, and provide real-time alerts to allow for immediate corrective action. Additionally, each DMS unit will record behavioural data to support post-trip analysis and help plan training interventions for drivers. The current rollout on 500 buses is a pilot phase, with the potential for a wider implementation depending on its effectiveness and feedback from transport authorities. This initiative marks a significant technological upgrade for Tamil Nadu's public transport system and is expected to improve both passenger safety and driver accountability across the fleet.
