SEREMBAN: The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is proposing seatbelts for bus passengers as one of the safety features which will be fully enforced in five years.
Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said his ministry would be discussing the matter with the Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) soon.
“We expect in the next five years, we can fully enforce the use of seatbelts on coach buses for the safety of passengers,” he told a press conference after the launch of the new buses of Sistem Kenderaan Seremban-Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (SKS-KL) here yesterday.
“Although, it may take a little longer to fully enforce it, we are looking at the new requirement of seatbelts on buses as one of the new condition before licences are approved,” he said.
He said the requirement of seatbelts on buses would greatly help minimise the impact in the event of a collision.
Aziz noted most of the new buses met the safety features and comfort of commuters.
“The new buses met the safety requirement standards and are equipped with suspension, anti-lock braking system, front disc brakes and latest mechanical systems,” he said.
He said a study would also be focused on the requirement to install Global Positioning System (GPS) and speed limiter to monitor the speed limit of buses and ensuring bus drivers are complying with road safety regulations.
Aziz reminded bus companies to only hire qualified drivers with good track record in view of the increasing accident cases caused by negligence of bus drivers. —Bernama