SPAD mulls CCTV, speed limiter requirement on express buses

PETALING JAYA: As a way to reduce fatal accidents, all express and intercity bus companies may soon be required to install speed limiters and closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) in their vehicles, while bus drivers will be subjected to a demerit system, said Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.
The Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman said the industry players will look at introducing these measures following the Johor bus crash which killed 14 people on Christmas eve.
He said while newly-manufactured buses, which were introduced into the market recently already had speed limiters pre-installed, many existing ones on the road are still not equipped with the technology.
“All new buses are required to have them installed. Many old buses do not support speed limiters due to their old technology, but there are no excuses for buses manufactured in recent years not to have them.
“The problem is, just look at how many existing buses have them installed, and how many do not? And when an accident happens, its usually because they do not comply to SPAD’s regulations and requirements,” he told theSun today.
Syed Hamid said while SPAD is also studying the possibility of installing telematics (a system similar to black boxes fixed on planes), there are already other similar technologies installed on buses like the GPS.
He pointed out that although telematics is able to read and record the driving habits and patterns, accidents also happened due to other factors like the negligence and carelessness of the drivers.
“Whether or not we install telematics, the issue is always on passengers’ safety. Which is why we are, for example, asking for CCTVs to be installed in buses,” he said, adding that drivers could be continuously monitored during the journey.
He said if they were found to be negligent they could be disciplined by the bus company management.
Syed Hamid added that introducing the demerit system could also deter drivers from committing offences, but pointed that efforts have to be sorted out with other relevant agencies on SPAD’s area of jurisdiction.
“Currently, we are already giving out prizes to the best bus companies and what not. Now, I think what would be the best move is to have the demerit system introduced.
“But we need to discuss with the police, Road Transport Department (RTD) and others so we can all coordinate our efforts,” he said.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon wants a risk-based insurance be introduced to pressure companies into taking safety seriously.
He explained that under this practice, bus companies that pose higher risk and do not take care about safety should pay higher premiums for their insurance, and that those with a good track record with evidence would pay lower.
“This is regulated by Bank Negara. I think they may already start discussing on this initiative. But it should be on the companies, and not the drivers,” he said when contacted.