Express/tour bus drivers and passengers must use seat belts from July 1 – RM300 fine for not doing so

Starting from tomorrow, July 1, the use of seat belts will be mandatory for express and tour bus drivers and passengers in Malaysia, with the new ruling initially set to be enforced for buses manufactured from January 2020 onward. Buses built before 2020 will be given time to retrofit the restraint devices, the New Straits Times reports.

According to road transport department (JPJ) director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli, JPJ officers will begin enforcing the new rule from tomorrow. “Previously, we adopted an advocacy approach, but starting July 1, we will enforce it strictly,” he said.

He said that bus drivers must ensure all passengers wear seat belts before the bus departs, and those who fail to comply will be fined RM300. He said that JPJ will review closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to confirm whether the reminder was given or not.

“If drivers fail to remind passengers to wear their seat belts, not only will passengers be fined, but the driver and the bus operating company will also be penalised. If the driver has reminded passengers, but they still refuse to wear seat belts, only the passengers will be fined,” he explained.

“We have issued guidelines, and we will not compromise on any violations committed,” he said, adding that the department had discussed the matter with bus operators.

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