THE deadly bus crash that claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on 9 June is now recorded as part of official road accident statistics along the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat, JRTB), according to local police.
From January to June this year alone, a total of 257 accidents involving 442 vehicles were reported along the JRTB route between Gerik and Jeli, said Gerik district police chief Superintendent Abdul Samad Othman.
"These included eight fatal crashes, resulting in 22 deaths," he said.
"The number of deaths reflects the total number of victims, as fatal accidents often involve multiple casualties. For example, a fatal bus crash on 9 June alone claimed 15 lives, all of whom were students from UPSI."
Breakdowns of vehicles involved show that cars accounted for 287 of the 442 vehicles, followed by 55 multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and vans, 42 motorcycles, 38 pickup trucks, 17 lorries, and three buses.
Despite the concerning figures, a traffic census conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) in 2024 found that the East-West Highway continues to operate at a “good” level of service.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stated that the current design of the JRTB route, which traverses the hilly terrain of the Titiwangsa mountain range, is adequate for current traffic volumes.
"A total daily traffic volume of 2,409 vehicles was recorded, with heavy vehicles comprising 751 or 31.2 per cent of that figure," he said.
"The route is categorised as hilly terrain, and its geometric design as a two-lane single carriageway has met the required technical and functional standards for its construction."
To address safety concerns, Public Works Department director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail said the department has implemented a Blackspot Treatment Programme as part of its Road Safety Infrastructure Upgrade initiative.
Since 2018, 16 accident-prone locations along the route have been identified for improvements.
"The approach is based on the principle of 'Low Cost, High Impact.' If the treatment method is appropriate to the type of accident occurring, the accident rate at these blackspot locations can be reduced at relatively low cost," Roslan said.
The UPSI crash, which shocked the nation, has brought renewed urgency to calls for enhanced safety measures along one of Peninsular Malaysia's most treacherous stretches of road. - July 27, 2025
