JPJ summons bus driver for using handphone while driving

PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has summoned a bus driver who was using a handphone while driving from Penang to Ipoh recently.

Its director-general Datuk Zailani Hashim in a statement said investigations revealed that the bus, bearing registration number ALM 9815, is owned by a company operating in Butterworth, Penang.

"The JPJ wants to emphasise that using a mobile phone while driving is a serious and dangerous offence that can pose risks of road accidents, not only to bus passengers, but also to other road users," he said.

A 20sec video went viral on social media showing a bus driver using a handphone while he was driving, with both his elbows used to hold the steering wheel.

The video drew widespread criticism as a result of the driver disregarding the safety of passengers and other road users.

According to Zailani, JPJ's further investigations revealed that the bus driver had 13 previous traffic offences.

In addition, he called on the public to be JPJ's "eyes and ears" and urged members of the public to channel any complaints regarding road offences through the MyJPJ application via the menu e-Aduan@jpj or [e-mail]. - Bernama