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Putting the brakes on speeding bus drivers

By Sarban Singh, The Star | Mon, Oct 26 2009

Express bus operators might also be required to install the GPS to allow them to monitor their driver’s on-the-road habits.

Putting the brakes on speeding bus drivers

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bus

malaysia

[Photo above: Mersing bus accident.]

PORT DICKSON, MALAYSIA - All express bus operators may soon be required to install speed limiters in their vehicles in an effort to reduce road accidents and fatalities.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said they might also be required to install the Global Positioning System (GPS) to allow them to monitor their driver’s on-the-road habits.

“At a recent brainstorming session, we discovered that there were many accidents and fatalities involving heavy vehicles. There is a pressing need to check this,” he said.

“We decided that one way is to introduce speed limiters. Eventually, all heavy and commercial vehicle operators may be required to install the device,” he said to reporters after launching GKV Logistic Sdn Bhd’s 51-tonne LPG tankers near here. The lorry tanker is reputed to be the first of its type in the country.

He said although the Commercial Vehicles’ Licensing Board had last year issued a directive to bus operators to have a GPS installed in their vehicles, the ruling only covered new buses.

“There are many old buses out there as well. We may require them to install GPS too,” he said.

Ong said the speed limiter was also necessary as employers could not directly influence their drivers’ driving habits using the GPS.

“Since Malaysian drivers have this tendency to accelerate, it has become necessary for us to device ways to counter this,” he said.

He said there were also proposals that a minimum fixed wage system be introduced for bus drivers, particularly those driving express buses.

“I have been told that there are drivers who spend between 12 and 15 hours on the road because their salary is based on the number of trips they made.

“Accidents happen when they rush for trips,” he said, adding that he would have to discuss this with Human Resources Minister Datuk S. Subramaniam and other stake holders in the industry.

-The Star/ANN