SPAD too slow on anti-speeding device, says consumer group

Following the latest bus crash today, a consumer group takes authorities to task over the delay in making the speed limiter device compulsory equipment.

PETALING JAYA: A consumer pressure group today took to task the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) for failing to make the speed limiter device a must on public transport vehicles, and warned that any further delay could result in more lives lost on the roads.

The Malaysian Consumers Associations (Maconas) said the device could have prevented the bus crash in Johor today that left 14 people dead, including the driver.

“What is SPAD doing? There has been talk and only talk but implementation does not seem to be coming forthwith,” said Maconas secretary-general, Amarjit Singh Gill.

“Enough is enough. Do we still want to see more carnage and loss of life due to our failures of not implementing such safety measures?”

Over speeding has been cited as the reason behind the crash, which also left 16 people injured.

Amarjit urged Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai to act immediately to make the speed limiter a compulsory equipment, adding that “there is no need to wait till 2020”.

Last June, Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi announced the device was a must for commercial vehicles, following a spate of accidents involving public transportation.

However, the rule, which comes into force on Jan 1 next year, only applies to new vehicles.

Today’s accident is the worst since the Genting Highlands bus crash that killed 37 people three years ago.

Reports say the bus, on its way to Kuala Lumpur from Johor Baru, dived into a ravine along the North-South Expressway.

SPAD has suspended the licence of the bus company, Goldstar Express, pending multi-agency investigations into the accident. -FMT