The tragic accident that killed 15 students of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Gerik yesterday has sparked strong action by the government to make it mandatory to install speed limit devices on all heavy vehicles in Malaysia.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the policy is being comprehensively formulated to ensure there is no room for fraud or manipulation when it is implemented.
In a statement on Facebook, Anthony stressed that the government will not compromise in its efforts to strengthen road safety measures and pledged to be committed to protecting road users, especially from the risks posed by careless drivers and heavy vehicles that do not meet safety standards.
The statement was made following a tragedy that was reported to have occurred when a sightseeing bus carrying students from Jertih, Terengganu to Tanjung Malim, Perak skidded and overturned after colliding with a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik.
Apart from the 15 lives lost, a further 33 people were injured, including the bus driver, attendant, and the driver and three Alza passengers involved.
Anthony Loke stressed that the heartbreaking incident should be a starting point for major changes in road safety, especially involving heavy vehicles which are often associated with fatal incidents.
