KUALA LUMPUR: The excuses given by bus passengers for not wearing seatbelts range from "I forgot" to "It's just a habit of mine not to wear one," says the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
Four passengers were fined at the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza on Thursday (Sept 18) during a special enforcement operation by the Kuala Lumpur JPJ codenamed "Ops Khas Gempur Kenderaan Perdagangan".
Kuala Lumpur JPJ director Hamidi Adam said the excuse of “forgetting” or simply not being used to wearing a seatbelt was commonly heard during such operations.
"Many passengers claim they are not in the habit of fastening their seatbelts, especially if they have never been fined before.
"But under the law, a RM300 compound notice will be issued directly to the passenger,” he told reporters.
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Thursday's operation saw 203 commercial vehicles inspected and 132 summonses issued, he added.
Hamidi said the operation is part of JPJ’s continuous efforts to ensure compliance with road safety regulations, particularly in the commercial transport and public service sectors.
According to him, JPJ’s internal records show that the main causes of accidents involving commercial vehicles are failure to comply with technical specifications, poor maintenance, and reckless or unethical driving behaviour.
“This operation focuses on four major offences that pose road safety risks – driving continuously on the right lane, overtaking on double lines, expired motor vehicle licences (LKM) and insurance, as well as non-compliance with vehicle construction and use (C&U) specifications,” he added.
