Transport Ministry to launch centralised database to track reckless bus drivers
KUALA LUMPUR: The Transport Ministry will set up a centralised database to monitor bus drivers with records of reckless or irresponsible driving.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the system would include all categories of bus drivers — including express, tour, and other public transport operators — to ensure that only responsible individuals were entrusted with the safety of passengers.
"We aim to develop this database as a reference for bus operators and transport companies, particularly to identify drivers with prior offences," he said at Angkasapuri.
Present were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Loke announced this following a fatal crash involving a bus carrying 42 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students travelling from Jerteh, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak, on Monday.
The accident, which involved a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding in Gerik, claimed the lives of 15 students.
Police said the bus driver had 18 traffic summonses.
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.
Meanwhile, Loke said there is no timeline for the database's completion, but the ministry will attempt to expedite the process.
" We will also try to include information on bus operators and companies in the database.
"It will be developed through the Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Agency.
"We do not yet have a comprehensive database of all these drivers. What we have now is only a licensing system.
"Whether they have a record, companies hiring them have no point of reference.
"A driver who has shown poor conduct and was dismissed by Company A may end up being hired by Company B. That is what we want to prevent."
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