Submitted by webmaster on Sun, 2010-10-31 09:46
By OTK Info Unit
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31, 2010): Pandan MP Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat says the implementation of speed limiters for long-haul express buses was approved last year when he was then the transport minister.
“It was a proactive measure to help reduce fatal road crashes involving such buses. The ministry is now duty bound to explain what has happened to the implementation.
“Any further and unnecessary delay will cost lives,” he told OTK Info Unit in response to MPs clamouring for speed limiters to be fitted to express buses.
Bernama reported on Tuesday (Oct 26, 2010) MPs from both sides of the divide in Parliament called for express buses to be equipped with devices to cap the speed at not more than 90km/hr.
Ong said after he was appointed the lead minister in charge of urban public transport under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) in 2009, “our top concern was fatal road accidents involving public transport”.
“The Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Road Safety Department were directed to study the matter and come up with workable and proactive measures to curb such rising fatal crashes.
“We also decided to join the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) which brings together governments and governmental agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations to address road safety issues,” he said.
GRSP is a programme hosted by the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“I then directed that the fitting of speed limiters on to express buses be made mandatory and a grace period be given to operators to install the devices.
“Unfortunately, after I was dropped from the cabinet, nothing has been heard about it, despite constant reminders,” he said, stressing that speed limiters were more effective in tackling speedsters than just having the Global Positioning System (GPS).
He said the GPS could only be used to monitor the movement of vehicles and calculate the time used by the driver to complete his journey.
“It does not solve the problem of speeding. So, the implementation of speed limiters is urgent. Stop dilly-dallying on a matter that concerns the people’s lives,” he added.
Ong stressed the public had the right to know the status and progress of the implementation of speed limiters to help save lives.
“Of course there is financial consideration of having to install the devices. But between financial consideration and public safety, it is obvious which is more important.
“Stop wasting time, stop wasting more lives,” he added.
The call comes in the wake of the express bus tragedy on the North-South Highway near the Simpang Ampat toll plaza on Oct 10 in which 13 people were killed.
By OTK Info Unit
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 31, 2010): Pandan MP Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat says the implementation of speed limiters for long-haul express buses was approved last year when he was then the transport minister.
“It was a proactive measure to help reduce fatal road crashes involving such buses. The ministry is now duty bound to explain what has happened to the implementation.
“Any further and unnecessary delay will cost lives,” he told OTK Info Unit in response to MPs clamouring for speed limiters to be fitted to express buses.
Bernama reported on Tuesday (Oct 26, 2010) MPs from both sides of the divide in Parliament called for express buses to be equipped with devices to cap the speed at not more than 90km/hr.
Ong said after he was appointed the lead minister in charge of urban public transport under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) in 2009, “our top concern was fatal road accidents involving public transport”.
“The Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Road Safety Department were directed to study the matter and come up with workable and proactive measures to curb such rising fatal crashes.
“We also decided to join the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) which brings together governments and governmental agencies, the private sector and civil society organisations to address road safety issues,” he said.
GRSP is a programme hosted by the Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
“I then directed that the fitting of speed limiters on to express buses be made mandatory and a grace period be given to operators to install the devices.
“Unfortunately, after I was dropped from the cabinet, nothing has been heard about it, despite constant reminders,” he said, stressing that speed limiters were more effective in tackling speedsters than just having the Global Positioning System (GPS).
He said the GPS could only be used to monitor the movement of vehicles and calculate the time used by the driver to complete his journey.
“It does not solve the problem of speeding. So, the implementation of speed limiters is urgent. Stop dilly-dallying on a matter that concerns the people’s lives,” he added.
Ong stressed the public had the right to know the status and progress of the implementation of speed limiters to help save lives.
“Of course there is financial consideration of having to install the devices. But between financial consideration and public safety, it is obvious which is more important.
“Stop wasting time, stop wasting more lives,” he added.
The call comes in the wake of the express bus tragedy on the North-South Highway near the Simpang Ampat toll plaza on Oct 10 in which 13 people were killed.
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