Herdiansah (right) presenting a road safety message to a bus driver, witnessed by Donald (second right).
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Road Safety Department (RSD) will give recognition to any public transport operators whose express buses record ‘zero accident’ during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this year.
Its director, Herdiansah Abdul Karim, said the recognition would improve the image of express bus operators in the eyes of society in the state.
“This recognition will enhance the image of express bus operators and the public will choose operators that provide safety and value for service in fulfilling commuters’ demand,” he said after launching a road safety campaign with the Sabah Express Bus Operators Association (Seboc) at the main bus terminal in Inanam yesterday. Also present was Seboc chairman Datuk Donald Hanafi.
According to Herdiansah, the campaign focuses on the importance of the role of public bus operators, drivers and passengers during Hari Raya.
“Although the number of road accidents involving public transport in Sabah is small compared to Peninsular Malaysia, we cannot afford to remain in the comfort zone.
“The frequency of awareness campaigns for employers, drivers and passengers of public transport in the state needs to be increased from time to time,” he added.
Herdiansah also reminded express bus operators to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures set by the authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD), Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) and the National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada).
Herdiansah touring the urine screening counter at the main bus terminal in Inanam during the launch of the campaign.
This includes compliance with the requirements to inspect and maintain the vehicles as a whole, the need for a second driver and to ensure that the driver is not under the influence of banned substances while driving on the road.
For the second drivers, he said they have a role to ensure the passengers arrived safely at their destinations through prudent and defensive driving.
The campaign also emphasises on the role of passengers to report the misconduct of the drivers at the wheel throughout the journey.
Herdiansah said passengers can make a formal complaint to the agencies responsible such as the RTD or CVLB if any of the driver’s actions endangers the safety of passengers, such as speeding and dangerous overtaking, using mobile phones while driving and any other action that may affect passenger safety.
He said all these three groups had an important role to play in ensuring the safety of public transport and described the zero accident target as something that is not impossible to achieve if they perform their respective roles not only during the festive season but on normal days.