Last month, Malaysia was shaken by the tragic deaths of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students in a fatal bus crash. The incident prompted urgent calls for stricter road safety regulations, particularly for bus and lorry drivers. In response, the Road Transport Department recently announced that it will now be mandatory for passengers travelling on express and tour buses to wear seatbelts before departure.
Though the ruling may not completely resolve the ongoing issue of reckless driving, it can still help reduce the risk of injury. Unfortunately, not long after the tragic UPSI incident, a couple of road accidents involving buses were reported recently in Genting. Here’s what happened:
On Wednesday (2nd July), it was reported that a parked tour bus rolled forward and crashed into a road divider and then a pillar at the Genting Mushroom Farm car park. The collision caused damage to both the bus and a nearby taxi. According to reports, the large vehicle suddenly lurched forward after a 45-year-old driver had parked it at the popular tourist spot. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Police were dispatched to the scene after being alerted by members of the public at 12:20pm. Bentong District Police Chief, Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar confirmed the incident and said the case is currently being investigated under Section 43 of the Road Transport Act 1987 for careless and inconsiderate driving.
This latest accident occurred just one week after a previous incident, where a tour bus carrying 25 passengers crashed into a divider while travelling downhill near Jalan Genting-Bentong. According to reports, the crash took place on 22nd June at around 7pm. Fortunately, the driver and two passengers sustained only minor injuries, while the rest escaped unharmed.
Bentong District Police Chief, Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar, told reporters that the driver had lost control of the vehicle moments before the crash. With two road accidents occurring in Genting just a week apart from each other, and so soon after the UPSI tragedy, it’s becoming increasingly concerning, particularly for those who frequently travel by bus or share the roads with heavy vehicles. Let’s hope that meaningful action is taken soon to reduce the risk and improve road safety for everyone.
Here’s a carousel post of the latest accident:
Sources: TheStar, Utusan, NST, mStar
