KUALA LUMPUR: Installing seatbelts in express buses should be enforced to reduce the risk of death in road accidents.
Road Transport Department (RTD) director Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron said, however, that the move requires detailed study.
"I welcome the suggestion that the use of seatbelts be enforced in express buses, as it is among the best measures to reduce loss of life.
"I will discuss this within the RTD, as seatbelts in the passenger seats of express buses will improve the safety system of these buses," he told Bernama yesterday.
Nadzri was commenting on a news analysis on bus accidents, written by Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang yesterday, saying that there should be preventive measures, such as disallowing drivers from making trips during the 'sleepy hours', and making seatbelts for passengers compulsory.
However, Nadzri said, although the government has not yet made passenger seatbelts compulsory, bus operators could take the initiative of providing them for the public.
In the incident early Saturday, 14 people died while 16 more were injured when the express bus they were travelling in plunged into a ditch and crashed into the concrete wall of an underpass at Km137.3 of the North-South Expressway, near Kampung Jayor and the Pagoh R&R area.
Asked about disallowing express bus drivers from making trips during overnight hours, Nadzri said this has been brought up before for discussion, but could not be implemented because of the demand from the industry and public.
"However, we will review it, because disallowing express buses from travelling at night and the wee hours could help reduce the risk of accidents," he said. --BERNAMA