KUALA TERENGGANU: Public bus service operators need to be stricter in ensuring passengers comply with seat belt regulations.
Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) eastern region head Mohammad Fakhri Mansor said the government's move to make seat belts mandatory was not just to meet legal requirements, but to create a culture of safety awareness among the people.
He said Apad would continue to actively organise driver competency programmes, especially involving express bus drivers.
"We have organised three series of driver competency courses involving 100 bus operators from 80 public transport companies throughout the Eastern Region. We expect the fourth course to be held soon to instil a culture of road safety.
"We emphasise the wearing of seat belts because it is mandatory for everyone, not just drivers but also passengers," he said when officiating the new Darul Iman Express Bus at Kuala Terengganu City Council Bus Terminal here on Thursday (July 3), which was also attended by Darul Iman Express managing director Laili Ismail.
Meanwhile, Laili said his party welcomed the government's directive and issued instructions to all company bus drivers to ensure passengers wear seat belts before travelling.
"All our buses are equipped with seat belts and closed-circuit cameras to monitor compliance with the law," he said. - Bernama
