Published: Friday November 8, 2013 MYT 7:05:00 PM
Updated: Friday November 8, 2013 MYT 8:08:38 PM
Genting bus crash: Bad brakes, bad road, bad driving
BY PATRICK LEE
Filepix shows the bus being hoisted out of the ravine
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (MIROS) outlined six reasons that caused the deadly Genting Highlands bus crash that claimed 37 lives on Aug 21.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told a press conference that one of the reasons for the crash was that the bus was travelling beyond the 50pkh speed limit.
Other reasons were:
- inefficient brakes on the bus' front wheels and failure of the vehicle's retarder to slow down the vehicle;
- the Truck Escape Ramp was shielded by the road's geometrical design and there were inaccurate signage for the ramp;
- the road was too wide (measured at 4.2m to 4.9m), beyond the 3.25m standard for slopes. This allowed drivers to drive faster there;
- the rubble wall and guardrails along the road were considered improper safety barriers for slope routes;
- Genting Highlands Transport Sdn Bhd, the company in charge of the bus, was deemed as having unsatisfactory company policies.
On Aug 21, the bus which was coming down from Genting Highlands plunged 60m down a ravine. The 37-year-old driver of the bus died along with the passengers, making it Malaysia's deadliest bus accident yet.
Hishammuddin said the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) would take action against the bus operator.
"I've asked them to look into the possibility of taking action not only against the company but also individuals, such as the directors or those responsible, to make sure that all guarantees regarding regulations and laws are complied with," he said.
The actions, including a possible shutdown of Genting Highlands Transport Sdn Bhd, would be taken within two months, he said.
He said the Transport Ministry will recommend amendments to the law by the end of the year if action against the operator was not deemed as enough.
Hishammuddin added that if the operations of the bus company was to shut down, Genting Highlands Resort would need to provide alternative transport services for those travelling to and from the resort.
Hishammuddin said the ministry would take these steps from Dec 1 onwards:
- form a Driver Profile Section under the Road Transport Department (JPJ);
- place JPJ and Puspakom officers at Genting Highlands for physical checks on buses;
- enforce Genting Highlands bus drivers to ensure good driving standards.
