No potholes, signage intact at site of fatal UPSI bus crash
IPOH: The road surface and safety features at Km53 of the East-West Highway, the site of a tragic crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, were found to be in good condition, with no potholes or missing road signs.
Perak Public Works Department director Ir Zamri Mat Kasim said inspections confirmed that all essential road safety elements, such as guardrails, chevron signs and signboards, were properly installed and well maintained.
"In our latest site inspection, we found the road surface to be in good condition, with no potholes.
"Road safety elements such as guardrails, chevrons, and signboards are all intact," he said when contacted today.
It was reported yesterday that 15 UPSI students were killed in a tragic crash involving a bus ferrying students and a Perodua Alza along the East-West Highway near Gerik.
He added that a total of 385 solar-powered streetlights would soon be installed along the stretch of road to further improve visibility and safety.
"We have already completed the tender process for these lights, and we expect to award the installation contract by July," he said.
He also said poor visibility due to darkness was not identified as the main cause of the accident.
"According to the preliminary police report, the accident was caused by the bus driver's excessive speed, which was deemed unreasonable," he said.
Zamri added that funds had been allocated to resurface the road and repaint road markings in the affected area to further enhance safety.
"Forensic officers from the Public Works Department headquarters are currently at the site conducting a detailed study and preparing a full report," he said.
It was reported that Federal Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri had said that the driver of the bus had a record of 18 traffic summonses.
Mohd Yusri said checks on the driver's record showed that 13 summonses were for speeding, one for an accident-related offence, three for not wearing a seatbelt, and one for a faulty third brake light.
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