THE Kedah Road Transport Department (JPJ) detected 18 cases involving passengers on express and tour buses who were not wearing seat belts during a special operation yesterday.
Kedah JPJ director Stien Van Lutam said that in the operation, his department inspected 18 buses, 14 of which were express buses, while the other four were tour buses.
He said, however, two offenders involving individuals under the age of 18 were only given advice, while 16 other passengers were fined RM300 each.
"Starting today (yesterday), Kedah JPJ is implementing full enforcement on the wearing of seat belts for drivers and all passengers on express buses and tour buses.
"This is in line with the provisions under the Motor Vehicles (Seat Belts and Child Restraint Systems) Regulations 1978 Amendment (2008)," he told a press conference at the Alor Setar North Toll Plaza.
Stien said this measure aims to reduce the risk of injury and death in accidents involving buses.
He said it is also to increase awareness and road safety discipline among bus passengers.
"Compounds are issued to passengers if they do not wear seat belts and passengers can also complain to the bus driver if the belt is in poor condition before starting the journey.
"Express bus operators also need to be responsible for ensuring that buses which started operating from January 1, 2020 are required to have seat belts, while buses before that are also advised to provide the facility for passenger safety," he said.
Stien said that during yesterday's operation, some passengers gave reasons like not being comfortable wearing belts, as well as claiming they did not know that they were required to wear them.
He said that the results of inspections on buses during the operation also found that there were seat belts in poor condition.
"We will also conduct undercover checks on buses involving long-distance travel to ensure that all passengers comply with the regulations.
"If any passenger is found not wearing a seat belt and there is digital recording evidence, we will issue a compound against the passenger involved.
"Bus drivers should not just give advice but also not wear a seat belt, they will also be subject to compound action," he said. - July 2, 2025
