JPJ to also check tour buses during safety campaign

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Ismail (centre) putting on a safety jacket onto a motorcyclist during Raya road safety campaign in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Melaka. — Bernama photo

MELAKA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will widen its vehicle inspection to include tour buses throughout the 16-day Raya road safety campaign beginning July 21 in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Its director-general, Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said the inspection covered various technical aspects and would be carried out at 13 Rest and Service Areas (RSA) throughout the country.

He said that previously inspection in conjunction with the festive season was only carried out on express buses and other modes of public transport.

“We will inspect the tour buses that stop at the RSA to see whether they fulfill the technical requirements to travel such as the condition of the tyres and brakes besides carrying out urine tests on the bus drivers concerned,” he told reporters.

He disclosed this after the road safety programme with the JPJ director-general and the ‘bubur lambuk’ (porridge) distribution to road users programme, here yesterday.

Ismail said bus operators wishing to use additional and special chartered buses in conjunction with the festive season were advised to obtain the permit of approval from the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

He said that 1,800 JPJ personnel assisted by 500 members of the ‘Skuad Muda 1JPJ’ or the 1JPJ Young Squad would be mobilised in the Aidilfitri road safety campaign.

Meanwhile, he said the module on the use of automatic transmission vehicles for driving tests was expected to begin next month.

“We are already prepared for the Drivers’ Education Curriculum (KPP) for automatic transmission vechiles except for certain issues which must be scrutinised and discussed such as the rates to be fixed for tests using this module,” he said.

He said the department would discuss the issue with the driving schools association in the country to decide on the appropriate rate to be charged without burdening the users. — Bernama