PUTRAJAYA, July 5 — The Road Transport Department (JPJ) found a high compliance rate among passengers and bus drivers after the enforcement of a seatbelt rule, with only 305 or 0.25 per cent of the over 123,000 individuals inspected issued with summonses.
JPJ enforcement and prosecution policy director Zulkarnain Yasin said since the enforcement began on Tuesday, 123,706 passengers and drivers were inspected during checks on 3,257 buses — 2,459 express buses and 798 tour buses.
Of that total, only 305 summonses were issued — 238 to express bus passengers, 43 to tour bus passengers, and 24 to bus drivers.
“The compliance rate is very high… Thank God, and I would like to thank Malaysians for their cooperation.
“I urge all bus drivers, passengers, and motorists to always fasten their seatbelts for everyone’s safety,” he told reporters after a bus inspection operation at Putrajaya Sentral tonight.
From Tuesday, it became mandatory for drivers and passengers of express and tour buses manufactured after January 2020 to fasten their seatbelts.
For buses built before 2020, operators were given a grace period to install seatbelts.
Passengers or drivers who fail to comply with the seatbelt rule face a RM300 fine, while bus companies may face legal action for not ensuring passenger safety.
— Bernama
