ONLY ‘CLEAN’ BUSES, DRIVERS CAN OPERATE
Buses, drivers caught cannot continue journey
BUS companies have been warned that if their drivers or buses are caught with outstanding summonses, they will not be allowed to continue their journey, even if the buses have passengers.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the move, from today to June 22, was part of a road safety campaign and integrated operation in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
He said express bus operators must ensure that their drivers and vehicles were “clean” of any offence, including outstanding road summonses, before allowing them to transport passengers.
“The Road Transport Department (RTD) will conduct inspections at major bus stations and terminals. All bus records and drivers will be inspected. The National Anti-Drugs Agency (Nada) will screen bus drivers.
“This is being done so that bus companies will take the issue of passengers’ safety more seriously. Drivers will also be more cautious on the road,” he said after launching the campaign and operation at the Seremban rest and service area here yesterday.
Present were Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Rosli Isa and RTD director-general Datuk Seri Shaharuddin Khalid.
Loke said the campaign would be held together with police’s Op Selamat, and would involve the Road Safety Department, Miros, Nada, the Civil Defence Force, Health Ministry and highway concession companies.
He said the ban on heavy vehicles, including lorries and trailers, on highways and federal roads would start on June 13 to June 14, and on June 23 to 24, to avoid congestion and accidents.
He said he and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad would appear in two Road Safety Department campaign videos, which would be aired on television and social media next week.
“We don’t have a big budget, so we cannot pay celebrities to appear in the campaign. But, we’ve asked Tun M (Dr Mahathir), who has a huge influence, to ‘act’ and advise the public about road safety.”
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Op Selamat 13/2-18 would start from today to June 22.
He said Op Selamat was to reduce burglaries and road accidents during the festive period.
He said the frequency would be increased during the period.
“Officers and personnel involved will patrol homes and premises that are unoccupied during the festive season.
“As such, only 20 per cent of the police force have been granted leave, with the remaining 80 per cent on duty during Hari Raya.”
Fuzi said more than 6,000 traffic policemen would be on duty nationwide.
He urged those returning to their hometowns to inform the nearest police station on their plans.
“Those who wish to do so can fill up a form at the police station or use online applications, such as Volunteer Smartphone Patrol, the 999 hotline or Rakan Cop.”