SHAH ALAM: Heavy vehicle operators also have a responsibility to conduct background checks on drivers, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Acknowledging criticism against him and the ministry, Loke said all quarters must work together in making the country's roads safer.
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“Perhaps now, even the operators are not checking. It isn't that there is no avenue, (because) there is.
“When an incident happens, everyone blames the government and Transport Ministry, but companies can do background checks,” he told a press conference here on Friday (June 13).
According to Loke, prospective employers can just key in the driver's identification card number in either the police or Road Transport Department’s (JPJ) systems.
“Then, you can know how many summonses they have. But why are the companies or operators not checking?” he asked.
Loke also stressed that the ministry is putting together a database, including criminal records, to be integrated with the JPJ and police databases.
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Early on Monday (June 9), a chartered bus travelling from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after colliding with an MPV on the East-West Highway near Gerik.
It caused the deaths of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students.
It was also revealed that 18 summonses have been issued against the bus driver, with 13 for speeding offences.
The other three offences were for not wearing a seatbelt, not having a third brake light, and being involved in an accident.
On the Kejara or demerit system, Loke said a massive revamp is needed to improve its efficiency in tackling traffic offences.
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Under the current mechanism, Loke said, points will only be deducted once an offender pays a summons.
“Currently, one is only considered to have committed an offence if they pay a summons.
“The problem, however, is that many people don't pay their summonses.
“I will be transparent and say the Kejara system is failing, as we are taking the wrong approach.
“A major revamp is needed,” he added.
