File photo shows the wreckage of the express bus. — AFP photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) needs two weeks to release a preliminary report on the express bus horror crash in Pagoh, Johor.
Its director-general, Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon said they are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the cause of the crash with the cooperation of Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) and the Road Transport Department (RTD).
“The investigation covers various aspects related to the driver, the bus company, the condition of the road and the condition of the bus.
“All information gathered will be studied before a preliminary report is released within two weeks.
“The main objective of the investigation is to identify areas for improvements so that such incidents do not recur,” he told Bernama here, yesterday.
The express bus horror crash at Km137.3 of North-South Expressway (north bound) in Pagoh, Johor, at 3.30am on Saturday (Dec 24) killed 14 people and injured 16 others.
Dr Wong said bus companies should ensure that the drivers have enough rest and are fit and healthy, because it involves the safety of the passengers.
“Bus drivers are compelled to inform the management if they are unable to do the job at hand while passengers can remind or reprimand the drivers for dangerous driving.
“Passengers are encouraged to use bus companies which are recognised as safer by choosing buses given star rating by Miros (http://ssg.miros.gov.my),” he added.
Meanwhile, Johor deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Zakaria Ahmad also said police will investigate from all aspects to ascertain the actual cause of the accident.
“We will be collaborating with other agencies like the Malaysian Highway Authority, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, Road Transport Department and Puspakom Sdn Bhd to facilitate the investigation.”
Mohd Zakaria said this to reporters after attending the monthly assembly of the Johor Bahru police contingent headquarters, here, yesterday.
He said matters to be looked into would include express bus drivers’ rest hours, provision of second driver in service, endurance and frequency of bus maintenance, and bus trip schedules.
“The bus company had previously informed of providing second drivers but the truth of the claim will be investigated. Accidents had occurred at the area of the expressway before but not often,” he added.
According to him, the initial police investigation showed the possibility of speed factor as the bus did not hit any other vehicle, no tyre marks on the road to indicate braking while inspection of the bus and eye-witness accounts showed strong impact of the crash. – Bernama